§ 34. Ms Glenda JacksonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on aid to Burma. [32642]
§ Mr. HanleySince 1992–93 we have provided about £630,000 in humanitarian aid for Burmese refugees in neighbouring countries. In December 1995, we contributed £1.1 million to a joint UNHCR/World Food Programme appeal for a voluntary repatriation programme. Like other EU countries, in 1988 we suspended non-humanitarian official aid, and that remains the position.
§ Ms JacksonI thank the Minister for that reply. Does it mean that Her Majesty's Government will pay rather closer attention to the calls emanating from Aung San Suu Kyi for no encouragement of any business interest in Burma until a more democratic form of government is returned and the harassment of her and her party is ended?
§ Mr. HanleyI assure the hon. Lady that we have very close contact with Aung San Suu Kyi. We have explained our policy to her on many occasions. It is to press for real reform—economic and political—that will bring the changes that are so desperately needed by all Burma's people. She is a remarkable lady and I assure the hon. Lady that we take careful note of whatever Aung San Suu Kyi says.