HC Deb 22 November 1971 vol 826 cc945-50
Mr. Speaker

Mr. Pardoe.

Mr. Pardoe

Question No. 30.

Mr. Wilkinson

On a point of order. Is it in order, on the Order Paper of the House, to refer to Bangla Desh as part of the territory of a Commonwealth country which we recognise? We do not recognise Bangla Desh, nor does India, and nor does the United Nations.

Mr. Speaker

It is not a question of order. An hon. Member must take responsibility for his Question.

30. Mr. Pardoe

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about British aid to the 9 million refugees from Bangla Desh now in India.

36. Mr. Raphael Tuck

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further plans Her Majesty's Government have for aid for Bengal.

Mr. Kershaw

We have already offered £14¾ million for the relief of the refugees in India and £2 million for relief in East Pakistan. We are the second largest donor to the refugees and, while we shall have to reconsider our own position as the situation develops, we hope that other Governments will make further substantial contributions.

Mr. Pardoe

While thanking the hon. Gentleman for that statement and while accepting that Her Majesty's Government have a very good record on aid to Bangla Desh refugees, may I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that the mere presence of these refugees in India is the biggest and most likely cause of war facing the world today? Is the hon. Gentleman aware, further, that the only way of getting the refugees back is the recognition of an independent Bangla Desh? Therefore, since this is now inevitable, does not the hon. Gentleman believe that from the point of view both of morality and Britain's self-interest, it is urgent that we recognise an independent Bangla Desh?

Mr. Kershaw

I agree that a political solution is the way in which those involved can be rescued from their present position. However, I do not believe that our recognising Bangla Desh now would contribute to a peaceful solution.

Mr. Tuck

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there are reports that the Pakistan Government is not allowing United Nations representatives to travel freely in Dacca, that supplies are being used not only for the purposes of relief and that the army is using United Nations and U.N.I.C.E.F. trucks? Are these reports true? If the hon. Gentleman cannot assure the House that this is not the position, will he investigate thoroughly?

Mr. Kershaw

There is a representative of the United Nations in Dacca and the High Commissioner for Refugees also has his representative in East Pakistan. As to how the £2 million is spent, we have an account from the United Nations. As far as we know, none of it is going astray.

Mr. McCrindle

Is my hon. Friend aware that a recent move—what might almost be described as an olive branch—from President Yahya Khan has been described by the Indian authorities as propaganda? Can my hon. Friend say whether that is the view of Her Majesty's Government?

Mr. Kershaw

No, Sir. I cannot usefully comment on a statement such as that.

Mrs. Hart

Can the hon. Gentleman confirm the figures given to the Third Committee last week by Prince Sadruddin Khan that of a total of £290 million already required by India to support the refugees in India, only £103 million had been contributed so far? Will the hon. Gentleman permit my right hon. and hon. Friends and I to endorse what he says about the need for other countries to make larger contributions, as well as bearing in mind the future need for us to continue our contributions?

Mr. Kershaw

I am grateful for the right hon. Lady's observations. I understand that Sadruddin Khan estimated that of the cost of £280 million which had now fallen upon the Indian Government, contributions of £90 million had been made, of which our share was 17 per cent., and that up to 18th October £36 million had been contributed to East Pakistan.

32. Mr. Wilkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make further relief aid for Pakistani refugees in India conditional upon India's acceptance of United Nations observers within the refugee camps and strict accountability for the disposal of relief aid provided.

Mr. Kershaw

Her Majesty's Government regard the plight of the refugees as a humanitarian problem and have not attached political conditions to their relief assistance. The major part of the assistance is being spent on direct purchases by the British Government or has been channelled through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, but £1 million has been paid to the Government of India for expenditure on agreed purposes and will be accounted for in detail.

Mr. Wilkinson

Does my hon. Friend agree that a humanitarian problem of such proportions demands the full assistance of the Indian Government with the United Nations and the relief agencies? Will my hon. Friend press upon the Indian Government at least that it should accept United Nations observers at the refugee camps to ensure that the administration of aid is looked after properly since, if that is not done, there is a great danger that the problem may be exacerbated by the Indian authorities?

Mr. Kershaw

I repeat that the acceptance of United Nations observers within the borders of India must be a matter for the Indian Government. It is not one for us. Incidentally, perhaps I might take this opportunity to pay tribute to the Indian Government for their remarkable achievements in administering the aid.

Hon. Members

Hear, hear.

33. Mr. Wilkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will renew British commodity aid to Pakistan.

Mr. Kershaw

British commodity aid for Pakistan is continuing under existing loan agreements. We cannot provide new development aid until conditions are restored in which it can be effectively deployed for development. However, we are providing £2 million for humanitarian aid in East Pakistan through the United Nations.

Mr. Wilkinson

Does my hon. Friend realise how much that contribution of £2 million is welcomed, as is the £14¾ million which has gone to relief in India? Will my hon. Friend bear in mind none the less that there are vital projects in the future in West as well as in East Pakistan which require international aid and which must not be overlooked in the present crisis?

Mr. Kershaw

I assure my hon. Friend that we stand ready to resume our project aid to Pakistan just as soon as conditions there warrant our doing so and getting value for money.

Mr. Shore

In view of the fact that the suspension of economic aid under the Consortium obviously is an important factor which may help to influence the Pakistan Government in the direction of reaching a political solution in East Bengal, can the hon. Gentleman assure us that the pressure which will be felt through the suspension of economic aid will not be countered by easing the position of Pakistan through postponing debt repayment? Will the hon. Gentleman make this point quite clear?

Mr. Kershaw

As the right hon. Gentleman knows, there has been a unilateral decision by Pakistan about the debts and the moratorium. We have had to acquiesce in that position and it now continues until 31st January. During the first six months of the moratorium the Pakistan Government defaulted on a total of £21¾ million, of which about £2 million was due to Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. Jessel

Will my hon. Friend assure us that he will not use the British taxpayer's money in such a way as to buttress the Pakistan Government's repressive régime in East Pakistan, when the vast majority of East Pakistan people do not want the Pakistan Army to stay there?

Mr. Kershaw

The purpose of our aid in this regard is humanitarian only, not political.

Mrs. Hart

Will the hon. Gentleman assure the House that the Government accept that economic pressure on Pakistan, from the point of view of development aid, is not possible in these circumstances but that, from other viewpoints, it is an absolutely vital element in securing the right amount of political settlement which could reduce the danger of war and get the refugees back to East Pakistan? Does the hon. Gentleman accept that general approach?

Mr. Kershaw

It would be wrong for me to say that we will seek to use aid which was intended for a humanitarian purpose for political reasons. I must insist upon that point.

Mr. Braine

To get the whole question into perspective, will my hon. Friend confirm that the cost to India of maintaining refugees from Pakistan is now running in excess of the total net aid which India receives from all sources? Does not this lay emphasis on the need for some kind of international approach to the whole problem and a more effective response to U Thant's appeal?

Mr. Kershaw

The burden upon India at present is absolutely enormous and can hardly be matched by any degree of aid which can realistically be given in the near future.