§ 62. Mr. YeoTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received regarding British aid in response to the Armenian earthquake.
§ Mr. Chris PattenI have received a great many representations from organisations, commercial companies and individuals offering donations, cost price relief supplies and personal help. It has been a magnificent and spontaneous response. The Soviet authorities have gone out of their way to express their gratitude for all the help provided from Britain.
§ 63. Sir Trevor SkeetTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about Britain's contribution to the earthquake disaster relief operation in Armenia.
§ Mr. Chris PattenOf the £5 million emergency aid which I announced on 9 December 1988, some £1.4 million has been allocated in response to specific requests from the Soviet authorities for assistance with emergency relief and search-and-rescue measures. This phase of the relief operation is now over. The balance of our £5 million will be used for rehabilitation and reconstruction activities which are now under consideration by the Soviet authorities.