§ 32. Mr. Goodhartasked the Minister for Overseas Development what contribution he is making in 1976–77 to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees programme to assist refugees from Indo-China now in Thailand.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Overseas Development (Mr. Frank Judd)Her Majesty's Government 468 contribute annually to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees Regular Programme. These contributions have been regularly increased in recent years and a contribution of £350,000 has been pledged for 1977. Part of this programme covers activities in this region. In addition, we have provided £2 million for various relief activities in Indo-China in 1974 and 1975. Against this background we have not so far responded to the special programme to which the hon. Gentleman refers, but we have the situation under active review.
§ Mr. GoodhartIs that not a disgraceful reply? Why are we giving £2 million of aid to the Communist Governments of Indo-China while offering nothing to the refugees? Surely the aid given by this country should go to the victims and not to the oppressors.
§ Mr. JuddIf the hon. Gentleman had listened to the reply he would have heard me say that we are contributing quite substantially to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees general fund, part of which is used in this area. We will also be spending £700,000 in Thailand on technical assistance programmes. Since 1971, £2½ million in capital aid has been pledged to Thailand.
§ Mr. AshleyIs my hon. Friend aware that there are many refugees from the earthquake damage in Turkey and that the Government's response has been absolutely scandalous? Ministers should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves. Thousands of people are dying there, and they urgently need blood supplies, lorries, and so on. The Government have sent fewer than 6,000 blankets, a few hundred tents, and that is about all. Is it not time that the Secretary of State went to Turkey to look at the problem, as the former American Ambassador is doing, and did something about it?
§ Mr. JuddNaturally, I deeply appreciate my hon. Friend's concern, but I am afraid that he is misinformed. Already plane-loads of relief supplies have gone. We have provided all that we have been asked to provide, and we are willing to provide more. It is important, in a difficult situation of this kind, to make sure that the contribution we are making is part of the integrated international response. We are providing blood, tents 469 and blankets, and we are sending those parts of the programme that we have been requested to send. I emphasise again that we are willing to send anything more that we are requested to send.
§ Mr. TapsellCan the hon. Gentleman confirm that none of the aid promised to the Communist Governments in Indo-China has been paid to them?
§ Mr. JuddThe position is as I have stated it. If the hon. Gentleman would like details of the programme, I can give them to him. For example, we gave to the Joint United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and UNICEF emergency appeal, £250,000; to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees appeal for refugees outside Indo-China, £150,000; to the Secretary-General's appeal for food aid to Laos, £100,000; to the UNICEF appeal for Indo-China, £1 million; to the International Red Cross appeal for Indo-China, £250,000; to the Disasters Emergency Committee, £250,000. I hope that on reflection the hon. Member will feel that that is a responsible use of the funds involved.