HC Deb 04 May 1949 vol 464 cc51-2W
Mr. W. Fletcher

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what further financial or other assistance His Majesty's Government intend to render to the Arabs rendered homeless as a result of the Israeli-Arab conflict.

Mr. Mayhew

His Majesty's Government are pursuing the question of relief for the Arab refugees both through United Nations channels and in consultation with other interested governments. The United Kingdom is represented by Sir Herbert Matthews on the Advisory Committee convened by the Secretary General at Lake Success for the purpose of considering the work done by the United Nations Relief for Palestine Refugees and the future policy of this organisation.

As regards the longer term problem of repatriation or resettlement, His Majesty's Government are studying with other Governments the best way in which assistance can be given to the Middle East countries concerned. They are ready and anxious to make available the advice and services of the experts of the British Middle East Office as fully as possible and they will continue to play their full share in international action to solve this problem.

In order to make an immediate start with the development work which alone can contribute to the resettlement of those refugees who cannot be repatriated, His Majesty's Government have recently agreed to give an interest-free loan of £1 million to Transjordan for a number of development projects, including irrigation from the perennial streams of the Jordan Valley.