HC Deb 03 February 1960 vol 616 c142W
99. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consider increasing the grant of £200,000 to the United Kingdom Committee for World Refugee Year, in view of the international importance of the refugee problem.

Mr. R. Allan

The importance which Her Majesty's Government attach to the refugee problem is shown by the provision of over £2 million last year for refugee relief. A large part of this goes to Palestine 810" refugees. I cannot at the moment hold out any hope of increasing Her Majesty's Government's contribution to the World Refugee Year appeal.

Mr. Rankin

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will agree to contribute to the fund for helping world refugees, from Government sources, a sum equal to the amount raised by voluntary associations in the first half of World Refugee Year.

Mr. R. Allan

No. The World Refugee Year appeal is directed primarily to the generosity of the public in this country and not to Government funds.