§ 49. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in view of the poor progress made by the United Nations Korean Reconstruction Agency and the bad conditions existing in Korea, whether Her Majesty's Government will now substantially increase its contribution to this Agency; what appeals the Agency has made for an increase; if he is aware that the United States Government is unwilling to make further contributions unless the British Government increases its contribution; and why there has been this delay in implementing the United Nations assurance in respect of Korean reconstruction.
§ Mr. Selwyn LloydI think the hon. Member may be under some misapprehension. £2 million was provided for this purpose in the 1952–53 Estimates, and sterling is, therefore, available when it is needed to help to pay for any work in hand which has been approved by the Agent General's Advisory Committee.
In fulfilment of their pledges, Her Majesty's Government are prepared to contribute up to £2,800,000 towards a recently approved programme whose cost may amount to 70 million dollars by next June. Up to £1 million may be paid by the end of March. There is as yet no programme for 1953–54.