REFUGEES IN JIBUTI

HL Deb 12 February 1980 vol 405 cc155-6WA

Lord AVEBURY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What information they have received about the plight of refugees in Jibuti and in particular what steps they are taking to assist those refugees not in camps administered by the UNHCR.

The MINISTER of STATE, TREASURY (Lord Cockfield)

The percentages quoted here are not strictly comparable with those given on 12th December 1978 because child tax allowances (and family allowances) have now been replaced by child benefit. After taking account of the change from child tax allowance to child benefit, families with children have in fact improved their position relative to other taxpayers over the period shown.

Lord CARRINGTON

The Government are aware of the serious plight of refugees in Jibuti but take the view that the most effective method of channelling official British assistance is through the international bodies such as the United Nations High Commission for Refugees who are involved in assisting the Jibuti authorities in the case of refugees. Since the beginning of 1978, we have contributed £750,000 for relief in the Horn of Africa including Jibuti.