HC Deb 25 January 1971 vol 810 c10W
48. Mr. Prentice

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further initiatives are now being taken by Her Majesty's Government towards the creation of a United Nations agency which can organise rapid relief for countries struck by earthquakes, floods and other disasters.

Mr. Kershaw

We are contributing to the United Nations Secretary-General's Report on disaster relief which will be presented in July. Our present thinking is that what is needed is not so much a new Agency as a small co-ordinating unit on the lines of the focal point which was established in the United Nations Secretariat last October.

68. Mrs. Hart

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has now had an opportunity for consideration of a British initiative in proposing a permanent United Nations disaster agency.

Mr. Kershaw

I would refer to the answer I gave earlier today to the right hon. Member for East Ham, North (Mr. Prentice).