§ 20. Mr. Goodhartasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further reports he has received from Her Majesty's representatives in South-East Asia about the situation in Cambodia.
§ Mr. LuardWe have received a number of reports about the situation in Kampuchea, from Her Majesty's representatives in the area and other sources. In the absence of any British representation in that country, it is impossible to secure first-hand accounts of the situation there.
§ Mr. GoodhartAs senior British diplomatic observers estimate that the Khmer Rouge Government have executed 100,000 Cambodians in the last 15 months, will the Minister say why the Government have offered no assistance at all to the United Nations programme for helping Cambodian refugees?
§ Mr. LuardWe condemn any atrocities, wherever they occur. We have found a means of expressing the concern that has been shown in this House and elsewhere in this country to the Government of Kampuchea, despite the fact that we have no representation there.
Concerning refugees, in the light of our economic situation we have had to say to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees that we cannot provide support for this category. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman knows that we have offered £1½ million for relief work in Indo-China since the end of the war there.
§ Mr. MaudlingHave we not appointed a diplomatic representative to Cambodia? Where is he?
§ Sir Anthony RoyleHow has the Minister expressed his concern, and what action will the Government take?
§ Mr. LuardI do not think that I can divulge the details of the methods we use. We do not have representation in Kampuchea itself. We found a means of expressing our concern through other diplomatic representatives to the Kampuchea Government.