HL Deb 11 December 1974 vol 355 c770WA
Lord BARNBY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In regard to the reported gift of £500,000 to refugees in Cyprus—

  1. (1) on what basis it was decided how much should be given and to whom in comparison with other possible priorities;
  2. (2) on what authority should a decision was made.

Baroness LLEWELYN-DAVIES of HASTOE

The decision that we should contribute £500,000 in response to the international appeal by the Secretary-General of the United Nations on behalf of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees for 22 million dollars for refugees relief in Cyprus was taken by my right honourable friend the Minister of Overseas Development under the authority vested in her by Act of Parliament. In deciding upon the amount she took into account the nature of Her Majesty's Government's relations with the Republic, the size and nature of the appeal, the response to it by other countries and other factors such as the amount of our contributions both to the UNHCR's regular budget and to other recent special appeals, and other measures of United Kingdom relief aid for Cyprus either already provided or under consideration.

House adjourned at seven minutes before ten o'clock.