HL Deb 08 February 1982 vol 427 cc3-5

2.43 p.m.

Lord Brockway

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what contributions they make to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and whether they will substantially increase the amount in view of the statement in the fund's annual report that 17 million children are likely to die in 1982 and that their deaths could be prevented at the cost of £2.50 each.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Trefgarne)

My Lords, we share the concern of the noble Lord for the plight of the world's children and are strong supporters of UNICEF. Following a contribution of £5.9 million in 1981—Her Majesty's Government's highest-ever contribution to UNICEF's regular programme—we shall, subject to parliamentary approval, contribute the same level of assistance in 1982. In 1980 and 1981 we were the fourth highest donor to UNICEF's regular programme.

Our support for UNICEF is only part of our aid programme of benefit to women and children. We aim to concentrate our bilateral aid on the poorest countries where such people are among the most disadvantaged. We also give substantial support to the World Bank and other multilateral bodies whose programmes benefit them as well.

Lord Brockway

My Lords, while thanking the Minister, may I ask him whether the Government can take the initiative in a special fund of an international character for this purpose? Would it not cost only £33 million, which is insignificant compared with expenditure upon arms?—£2.50 to save one child. May I also ask the Government this? While this is a governmental responsibility, would the Government support an appeal in this country, Europe, America, the world, for a fund for this purpose? With donations at only £2.50, surely in the world 17 million people would reply to such an appeal.

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, I think that there is a danger of over-simplifying these matters. For example, there are some children, I fear, whose lives would need a good deal more than that amount if they were to be brought up to an acceptable standard. But, of course, UNICEF receives funds from sources other than governments. For example, there is the United Kingdom Committee for UNICEF—an autonomous body which receives no assistance from public funds. It has been steadily increasing its contribution to UNICEF over recent years and gave £815,000 in the year 1980–81.

Lord Inglewood

My Lords, can my noble friend tell us how this figure of £2.50 is calculated and what it is supposed to cover, because it seems remarkably unrealistic?

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, as I said, there is a danger of oversimplifying calculations of this kind. The figure does not itself appear in the report to which the noble Lord, Lord Brockway, referred, but is derived from certain other figures appearing in that document.

Lord Avebury

My Lords, may I ask the noble Lord the Minister whether he is aware of the refugee children from El Salvador who are in the neighbouring country of Honduras? Is he aware that last week, when I was visiting the refugee camps there, I was told that cases of Kwashiorkor developed among the children after they had crossed the frontier? While the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is, no doubt, very grateful for the contribution of £200,000 which the Government have made to the programme for refugees in Central America, will the noble Lord consult with the UNHCR to see whether any additional help can be provided?

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, we are, of course, in constant touch with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and we help him as best we can in the light of our limited resources and in the light of his needs. But UNICEF, to which the Question on the Order Paper relates, does indeed have a programme in El Salvador and, doubtless, that is of some benefit there.

Baroness Macleod of Borve

My Lords—

Lord Brockway

My Lords, if some of us—

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Baroness Young)

My Lords, my noble friend Lady Macleod has been trying to get in for some time.

Baroness Macleod of Borve

My Lords, may I ask my noble friend whether he is aware that the Save the Children Fund, through a sub-committee of the Stop Polio campaign, is doing a very great deal to help save children in Africa from getting polio? They are having a big campaign in three countries to immunise children against polio and are, therefore, probably saving the lives of many children.

Lord Trefgarne

Naturally, my Lords, I welcome those activities.

Lord Brockway

My Lords, if some of us organised an international voluntary appeal, signed by representative people in the world, would Her Majesty's Government give support to that appeal?

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, we shall certainly give consideration to any appeal that comes to our notice. But I would again draw the noble Lord's attention to the United Kingdom Committee for UNICEF, which is already active in this area.