HL Deb 08 March 1988 vol 494 cc561-3

2.44 p.m.

Lord Molloy asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether in concert with the United Kingdom's allies they will seek to provide food and medicaments to the people in the refugee camps of Gaza and the West Bank in Palestine.

Lord Glenarthur

Yes, my Lords. Our national contribution to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency whose programmes include supplementary feeding will be £5.25 million in 1988, 5 per cent. more than in 1987. Our share of planned 1988 Community contributions amounts to a further £5 million. Since December 1987, the Community has also provided directly £450,000-worth of emergency medical supplies and food. We are ready to consider requests for special funding, both nationally and with our colleagues in the Community.

Lord Molloy

My Lords, may I thank the Minister for that very encouraging reply? It certainly stands our Government in good stead and gives them a good name in the terrible tragedy in the Middle East.

However, there are some countries among our allies which do not seem to be pulling their weight. According to the Red Cross, some European voluntary organisations appear to be in need of a little more co-ordination, both in respect of medicaments and of food supplies. Would the Minister not agree that there could be a closer examination of whether or not the relief dispatched from Great Britain and our allies reaches the proper places and fulfils the proper purposes?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, we believe it to be effective but if we can see ways of improving it we shall use them.

Lord Mellish

My Lords, recognising that the conditions in the refugee camps are appalling, can the Minister say whether any money has been offered by the very wealthy Arab states that have made billions of pounds out of oil? Have they tried to help their fellow countrymen in the resettlement camps? Or do they desire to keep them in appalling conditions—a constant eyesore to the rest of the world because of their hatred of Israel?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I think it is fair to say that not a lot has been forthcoming. Nevertheless, I am certain that they would share in some respects at least the noble Lord's concern about the conditions.

Lord McNair

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that his original Answer to the noble Lord, Lord Molloy, has our full support? Would he perhaps also agree that the camps in the Lebanon are every bit as deserving and perhaps more so than those in Gaza and the occupied territories?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, that is a point of view. The Lebanon is a matter which concerns us. Of course, we support Lebanon's sovereignty, its unity, independence and territorial integrity. As regards my original Answer, the way in which the United Nations Relief and Works Agency disburses its funds is a matter for that organisation.

Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos

My Lords, I warmly welcome the practical assistance described by the noble Lord. But can he confirm that it is getting through to the occupied territories?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, so far as I am aware, the answer is yes. Perhaps I should say, in amplification of my answer to the noble Lord, Lord McNair, that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency does not predetermine the funding levels by area.

Returning to the question of the noble Lord, Lord Cledwyn, I have no evidence to suppose that it is not getting through. We have also a bilateral programme for Gaza and the West Bank outside the refugee camps which approaches £1 million per year. The story is encouraging.

Lord Molloy

My Lords, does the Minister not agree that there is a great deal of truth in what the noble Lord, Lord McNair, said about the situation in the Lebanon? Many of us who have been there and to the Middle East have seen the terrible tragedies. We are irritated that those who could contribute are not contributing. It is almost like saying that the problem of Ethiopia, the great drought and the starvation affecting thousands if not millions of refugees is the fault of the Almighty for allowing the drought to happen. Will the Minister take on board the proposition I made initially that, with our allies, we want to see that what we are giving so generously to help those in urgent need is arriving at the intended destination?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I agree with the noble Lord. We certainly do not want to see going adrift the money of an agency such as the United Nations Relief and Works Agency to which we and our partners donate much for the benefit of these unfortunate people. We believe that it is getting through.

Lord Mayhew

My Lords, will the noble Lord not agree that in very difficult circumstances UNRWA is doing a first class job and fully deserves the support of the European Community?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, yes, I agree entirely with the noble Lord. I am grateful to him for making that point. In fact, that agency held a consultation with donors only last week in Vienna. We await further proposals and its latest plans which we shall also consider sympathetically.