§ 73. Mr. Edward Lyonsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Common wealth Affairs whether he will make representations to the United Nations 239W Organisation urging swift international aid to enable the Bihari community in Bangladesh, which is likely to be engulfed by monsoon flooding, to be moved to secure accommodation on higher ground.
§ Mr. KershawThe monsoon rains can certainly create considerable difficulties in Bangladesh, where many people of all communities are without permanent homes as a result of the war. The rains began about 10 days ago. There is a problem of drainage from the Bihari camps and indeed everywhere in Bangladesh where there is no high ground. Dacca is 18 ft. above sea level. The International Committee of the Red Cross is at present building a new camp, which should be ready by the end of this month, to take the worst housed of the Biharis from the existing camps. My right hon. Friend had talks with Sheikh Mujib last week, which included the questions of the minorities and relief aid for Bangladesh.
§ Mr. Richardasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received as to the number and plight of non-Bengalis in Bangladesh; what steps he has taken as a result of such representations; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. KershawA number of reports have been received about the situation in Bangladesh, including the position of the 1–1½ million Biharis. My right hon. Friend had talks with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Dacca on 23rd–24th June. These talks included the questions of the minorities and relief aid for Bangladesh.