HL Deb 08 June 1992 vol 537 cc74-5WA
The Earl of Shrewsbury

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will make further funds available towards the costs of non-governmental organisation projects in Vietnam.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Chalker of Wallasey)

In May 1990, we committed £1 million to help finance nongovernmental organisations' development projects in the two provinces to which the majority of the boat people return. This money has now been fully allocated to 18 projects which are having a positive local impact. I have now decided to commit a further £1 million towards the cost of further NGO projects in areas to which the majority of migrants will be returning. This new tranche will be focused on job creation projects and projects which have a direct effect on the economic well-being of the communities. This £1 million will be additional to expenditure in Vietnam under the Joint Funding Scheme.