HL Deb 17 October 2000 vol 617 cc77-8WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What information they have about the numbers of refugees and displaced persons wishing to return to their homes in Bosnia; how many have been able to return since the Dayton Agreement of 1995; and, if they are able to divide the total as between the two political entities in Bosnia-Herzegovina, how many have returned to each. [HL4019]

Baroness Amos

According to the United Nations, there remain more than 1 million Bosnian refugees and displaced persons, the majority of whom would like to return to their homes. Some 682,000 refugees and displaced persons have returned to Bosnia and Herzegovina since the Dayton Peace Agreement of 1995, of which 556,000 returned to the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and 126,000 to Republika Srpska.

Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they accept the need for greater external funding for basic housing for displaced people throughout Bosnia; and, if so, whether they will seek international funds for this purpose with a view to reducing long-term military and security costs. [HL4020]

Baroness Amos

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees assesses housing needs for displaced people and then co-ordinates and directs donors to provide rapid and flexible funding to meet those needs. We are contributing to refugee return through a programme implemented by the Multi National Division South West of SFOR (the international military presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina) that provides minimum community infrastructure and support to small businesses in areas of return.