§ Lord Brockwayasked Her Majesty's Government:
What were the conclusions of the Geneva Conference on aid to refugees in Africa, convened jointly by the UN High Commission for Refugees and the Organisation of African Unity, attended by 99 nations, and how much the United Kingdom promised towards the £254 million pledged.
§ Lord CarringtonThe conference was well attended—though the Sovietbloc was absent—at a high level. Its importance was underlined by the chairmanship of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, who concluded in his summing-up that the conference had drawn the world's attention to the magnitude of the African refugee problem; had mobilised resources to cover immediate and short-term needs; but that the refugee problem could not be resolved unless the political and economic reasons which created it were effectively dealt with. I am placing a copy of the Secretary-General's concluding statement in the Library of the House.
The total pledges should suffice to meet the most pressing needs of refugees in Africa in 1981 and 1982. The United Kingdom's share for disbursement in 1981 is £6.1 million and about £6 million as our share of the European Community pledge. We also indicated our willingness to discuss with recipients of our bilateral aid the financing of infrastructure projects related to refugees.