India

HC Deb 24 January 1983 vol 35 cc659-60

48. Mr. Greville Janner

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what funds were made available for the Republic of India in the years 1981 and 1982, respectively; and how much he intends to make available in 1983.

Mr. Raison

British aid is planned by financial rather than calendar year. For the financial year 1980ߝ81, gross aid to India totalled £141 million and for 1981ߝ82, £102 million. For the current financial year, I expect gross aid to be about £111 million.

Mr. Janner

I join in welcoming the Minister to his comparatively peaceful new life. Has he had time to acquaint himself with the awful tragedy of the November cyclone in the state of Gujarat, which killed hundreds of people, destroyed thousands of cattle and ravaged the countryside? What specific help is he proposing to give to former Chief Minister Babubhai Patel and his team in coping with the disaster? What assurance can he give to citizens of Gujarati origin in Leicester and elsewhere that he is aware of the problem and will help where possible?

Mr. Raison

I am aware of the sad consequences of the recent cyclone in Gujarat. The Government of India did not ask for international assistance. However, the ODA's disaster unit arranged through Oxfam for the local purchase of up of £23,000 worth of roofing materials.

Mr. Sever

Will the Minister confirm that there are immediate proposals in hand at any time, when such a disaster occurs, for relief to be offered to requesting countries? Will he investigate the possibility of making advances to countries that have suffered from disasters, without their necessarily having to ask for aid?

Mr. Raison

There is a system, I understand, by which immediate disaster relief is made available. I take the hon. Gentleman's second point. Nevertheless, we must be sure that Governments concerned want aid before pushing it on them.

Mr. Deakins

Is the Minister happy that our aid to India, with a population of 700 million, should be so disproportionate when compared with the aid that we propose to give to the 1,800 people on the Falkland Islands?

Mr. Raison

I believe that both programmes are entirely necessary. What we are doing in the Falkland Islands is right, but it is proper that much the largest proportion of our aid programme should go to India.