§ 84. Mr. Awberyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that there are 140,000 Algerian refugees in Tunisia and 100,000 in Morocco; and what steps are being taken through the United Kingdom relief fund or other international organisation to assist these people by gifts of food and clothing.
§ Mr. R. AllanAccording to recent estimates by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, there are some 100,000 Algerian refugees in Tunisia and 80,000 in Morocco. The High Commissioner has been authorised96W by the United Nations General Assembly to secure the greatest possible assistance for these refugees. The League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, with suitable technical advice, have drawn up a programme to provide the refugees with a diet of 1,600 calories per day. In April, the last period for which we have figures, the High Commissioner stated that the cash requirements for food were about $143,000 per month and that $230,000 of uncommitted funds remained available. The cost of such other basic needs as soap, blankets and shoes is about one-third of that for food. Her Majesty's Government are making a gift of a month's supply of oil in place of the olive oil which is one of the greatest and most costly needs of these refugees.