HC Deb 05 March 1969 vol 779 c125W
Mr. Willey

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will give an assurance that the Save the Children Fund will continue to receive in 1969–70 similar financial support from Her Majesty's Government to that provided in the current financial year, towards the Fund's relief work in Nigeria.

Mr. Foley

I am glad to say that with the agreement of my right hon. Friends the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Minister of Overseas Development, we have informed the Save the Children Fund that, subject to Parliamentary approval, Her Majesty's Government will continue to underwrite the costs of the Fund's Nigerian relief work in the next financial year up to a total of £90,000. As a result, they have now been able to recruit replacements for one of their medical teams and hope that they will be able to fulfil all demands on their services until the end of 1969. Parliament will be asked in due course to approve a Supplementary Estimate. In the meantime an advance will, if necessary, be sought from the Civil Contingencies Fund.