§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what unilateral aid has been given or promised to Lebanon in response to the appeal by the Lebanese Government; and whether they will give an assurance that they will play their full part in an EEC aid programme in close co-operation with the Arab League countries.
Lord ORAMMy Lords, we believe that our response to Lebanon's needs is best made primarily as part of a coordinated international effort in which both United Nations bodies and Arab League countries are taking part. We propose, therefore, to allocate £450,000 as follows:£250,000 for relief operations by the International Committee of the Red Cross; 150,000 in response to the appeal of the Secretary-General of the United Nations; and £50,000 for the Ministry of Overseas Development's Disaster Unit to support relief work by voluntary agencies. Between October 1975 and August 1976 we contributed £50,000 through the International Committee of the Red Cross and the British Red Cross. This makes a total bilateral allocation of £500,000.
We also contribute to the EEC's emergency aid funds. The Community has already contributed 100,000 units of account and the Commission is now recommending a further 400,000 units—bringing the total to some £285,000.
Lord CHELWOODMy Lords, I am very grateful indeed for that sympathetic 770 and full reply. May I press the noble Lord to go a little further. Is it possible now to give some sort of estimate of the scale of the physical damage and the effect of this on the Lebanese economy, and of the extent to which multilateral aid is likely to be on a sufficient scale and of the right kind to help solve the dire problems that face stricken Lebanon? From a unilateral point of view, can consideration be given to the possibility, apart from what has already been done, of providing some technical aid and technical training, and perhaps provision by the British Council of rather more finance than is available at present to enable Lebanese to come to this country on scholarships?
Lord ORAMMy Lords, so far as the physical situation is concerned, it is early yet to be able to give a full estimate of the extent of the damage, and estimates vary, but we are keeping in close touch with the organisations who are working on the spot. So far as the general multilateral aid situation is concerned, other countries have not yet announced their contributions, but we believe that a number of countries are making contributions which somewhat match those that I have been able to announce on behalf of Her Majesty's Government. So far as technical assistance goes, there was of course, before the outbreak of hostilities, a small technical assistance programme by the Ministry of Overseas Development. That had to be suspended. Consideration as to its renewal will be given in due course, but the immediate situation concerns relief.
§ Lord BROCKWAYMy Lords, while appreciating what the Government have done, may I ask whether this is not another illustration of the desirability of some international standby organisation to act immediately in crises of this kind? Will the Government give their consideration to this proposal?
Lord ORAMMy Lords, as I indicated a few days ago on questions about the Turkish situation, there is a United Nations organisation which co-ordinates the efforts of single countries. I believe that that organisation, given added strength, provides the right kind of machinery.
§ Lord ELTONMy Lords, while welcoming the news that the noble Lord and his Government are giving funds to the ODM disaster relief organisation, may I ask him to confirm that I have it right in thinking that this is going to be channelled through voluntary agencies? If so, will he give careful thought to the provision of some of this and perhaps additional money to the efforts to Save the Children, who are very effective in positions where a great many orphans have been created over the last year and almost lost among the sea of rubble that now constitutes Beirut?
Lord ORAMMy Lords, I can confirm that the figure of £50,000 to which I referred in connection with the disaster unit is to support the work of voluntary organisations, and the Save the Children Fund is one of the voluntary organisations with which the Ministry of Overseas Development works very closely.
Lord CHELWOODMy Lords, since the EEC countries have an association agreement with the Lebanon, is it not of the greatest importance that the Nine should be seen to be being as generous as they possibly can in the circumstances, and in particular that they should be cooperating with the Arab countries with whom they have had extensive talks during the last two years?
Lord ORAMMy Lords, the West European countries are participating in a dual way, as I have indicated; there is the collective contribution from the emergency funds of the Community and then member countries of the EEC are putting up substantial programmes bilaterally.
§ Lord BROCKWAYMay I press my question, my Lords? While there is a United Nation's organisation at Geneva for coordinating the efforts of separate Governments, does that not inevitably mean delay, and would it not be much better for the United Nations itself to have an organisation which could act immediately?
Lord ORAMThis is a matter of judgment, my Lords. My personal judgment is that the coordinating machinery is likely to act more quickly in conjunction with the individual disaster units than if it were a United Nations' organisation responsible for the whole 772 operation. That is my personal judgment and I think I speak for my colleagues in this matter. However, these matters are constantly being reviewed and my noble friend's view will be taken note of.