§ 9. Mr. Abseasked the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs what is the total number of people classified as Palestine refugees; what is the total amount so far contributed by this country to their relief; how much it is intended to contribute this year; and what steps are being taken to ensure these subventions to Arab governments are linked with effective rehabilitation of the people concerned.
§ Mr. PadleyThe total number of Palestine refugees registered with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency on 30th September, 1964, the latest date for which figures are available, was 1,252,944.
Since 1948, Her Majesty's Government have contributed £31,421,432 to this Agency and to its predecessor, the United Nations Relief for Palestine Refugees. We have not yet decided how much we should contribute, subject to Parliamentary approval, for 1965. This will be announced at the Pledging Conference during the General Assembly. In 1964, however, the United Kingdom contribution was £1,928,572.
Since 1963, we have stipulated that an increasing proportion of the annual United Kingdom contribution should be spent on social services, education and vocational training, so that refugees can be equipped to earn their own livelihood.
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