HC Deb 10 January 1989 vol 144 cc498-9W
Mr. Martyn Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will give a breakdown of how the £5 million aid to Armenian earthquake victims will be spent.

Mr. Chris Patten

Some £1.4 million has been allocated so far, in response to specific requests from the Soviet authorities for assistance with emergency relief and search and rescue measures. This has included:

  1. (a) 12 relief flights carrying tents, clothing, medical supplies, food and heavy earthmoving equipment, in collaboration with the British Red Cross Society;
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  2. (b) a team of four London firemen with specialist search equipment;
  3. (c) a team of eight Manchester doctors specialising in crush injury treatment;
  4. (d) a contribution to a food parcel programme by CARE Britain:
  5. (e) supply and transport of containers to move donated clothes and equipment to Soviet provided ships;
  6. (f) supply of heaters for prefabricated housing.

The remaining £3.6 million will be used for rehabilitation and reconstruction.