§ Mr. Edward Lyonsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make available to private groups who request it information on the most advantageous ways of assisting the survivors of the East Pakistan flood disaster, in order to promote co-ordination of effort and maximum effectiveness in view of Her Majesty's Government's decision to assist in the relief work.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeThe Foreign and Commonwealth Office has been working in close co-operation with the Disasters Emergency Committee representing five major charities under the 85W chairmanship of the British Red Cross, and has provided the Committee with information on the kinds and quantities of relief most required as reports are received from Pakistan. My Department has also passed to the Committee a large number of inquiries from individuals who are anxious to offer their assistance in connection with the East Pakistan disaster.
I have set up a special unit within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to handle these inquiries and to co-ordinate the relief work being undertaken by Her Majesty's Government with that of the Disasters Emergency Committee and by private groups and individuals in order to ensure that all assistance from this country is available to the Government of Pakistan in the most effective manner.