HC Deb 30 April 1956 vol 552 cc6-7W
57. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the expenditure to date, of the United Nations Korean Reconstruction Agency; in what manner this has in general, been spent; approximately, how many Koreans have been assisted and resettled; what part of this expenditure has been in North Korea; and whether there has been effective co-operation between North and South Korea in the task of rehabilitation.

Lord John Hope

A sum of 138.5 million dollars has been paid to the United Nations Korean Reconstruction Agency up to 30th June, 1955. Of this sum approximately 136 million dollars have been laid out on a number of reconstruction projects, the chief items of which are:

  • Raw materials and equipment;
  • Health, sanitation and welfare;
  • Agriculture, forestry and fisheries;
  • Power;
  • Reconstruction of manufacturing plant;
  • Mining reconstruction;
  • Education and housing;
  • Other special projects such as support for voluntary agencies;
  • Wages and administrative costs.

Nearly every citizen of the Republic of Korea has benefited directly or indirectly from the Agency's activities. Resettlement of Koreans is not one of the Agency's duties. None of this expenditure has been incurred in North Korea. There has been no co-operation between the Republic of Korea and North Korea in the task of rehabilitation.