HL Deb 13 April 1983 vol 441 cc184-5

2.47 p.m.

Baroness Elliot of Harwood

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

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many Afghan people previously living in Afghanistan are now refugees as a result of the invasion by Soviet armed forces.

Lord Skelmersdale

My Lords, we have no precise figures, but it is estimated that well over 3 million Afghans have fled their country. According to Pakistan Government sources, there are about 2.8 million refugees in Pakistan alone. There are large numbers in Iran. The total exodus represents about one fifth of the Afghan population.

Baroness Elliot of Harwood

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that Answer. Is the United Nations refugee organisation playing an active part in this tragic scene? Is there any hope that more refugees will be able to be, not repatriated, but taken into other countries?

Lord Skelmersdale

My Lords, yes indeed. The United Nations High Commission for Refugees is taking a very active part in all this. Of the £13.7 million in cash and food aid from this country to Afghan refugees in Pakistan, a large slice has gone to the United Nations High Commission. As to whether other countries would be prepared to take in refugees, I would say that there are, of course, refugees both in America and in Western Europe. As to whether further countries would be prepared to take refugees, I am afraid that I cannot inform my noble friend.

Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos

My Lords, will the noble Lord agree that the presence of these refugees in Pakistan is causing the most appalling problems for that country? Secondly, will he tell the House what progress is being made at the United Nations-sponsored Geneva talks on Afghanistan that are now proceeding and whether this subject is on the table at those talks? It is vital that Her Majesty's Government, with the influence that they possess in that part of the world, should make their own contribution towards a solution of what could be a most serious problem in the area.

Lord Skelmersdale

My Lords, I agree with the noble Lord. This problem has caused enormous pressure on Pakistan. This is one of the two reasons why we have given such large amounts of aid to help relieve the problem. We consider that the European Council proposals of 30th June, for a two stage international conference on Afghanistan continue to offer a viable and realistic framework for implementing a settlement such as that to which the noble Lord refers. Before this can start, we await the results of the indirect talks that have only just started between Pakistan and the Babrak Karmal régime, currently taking place under United Nations auspices in Geneva.