§ Mr. Whitakerasked the Minister of Overseas Development whether, in view of the recent increase in casualties, he will take steps to increase medical aid for the inhabitants of all parts of Vietnam; and whether lie will seek to ensure that such relief is offered to those who are suffering from the war, irrespective of politics.
§ Mr. Prentice:As announced on 9th February, Her Majesty's Government are providing £250,000 as immediate additional aid for Vietnam, primarily intended to increase the strength and deployment of the British medical team in Saigon. The team, Using supplies flown in from Singapore are already undertaking additional duties in certain refugee centres in the vicinity of the Children's Hospital. The work in these centres is naturally not restricted to children and treatment is available to all who seek it. The Ministry's Chief Medical Adviser left for Saigon today in order to define future need; and activities more closely with those on the spot. Meanwhile we are taking immediate steps to bring the 374W paediatric team up to a strength of seventeen and to recruit an extra three doctors and six nurses, making 26 in all. Substantial medical and ancillary supplies are being flown to Saigon from the United Kingdom and Singapore. Any necessary supplementary estimate will be laid before Parliament in due course.
As regards Government aid to North Vietnam, I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer given by my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on 14th November last.—[Vol. 754, c. 79.]