HC Deb 15 May 1972 vol 837 c4W
41 and 57. Mr. Wilkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what reports have been received from the British High Commission in Dacca and the relief agencies about the distribution of British humanitarian relief to Bihari and the Urdu-speaking minorities in Bangladesh;

(2) to what extent the British programme of humanitarian aid in Bangladesh is being hindered by poor internal security in that country, and the victimisation of Biharis, and where such problems are greatest.

Mr. Kershaw

There is no separate British programme of relief aid solely for the minority communities. However, we have contributed £200,000 to the International Committee of the Red Cross for relief in Bangladesh. The International Red Cross has confirmed to us that it is continuing with relief distribution.

The security situation in Bangladesh is still inevitably disturbed, but relief supplies are getting through, and Sheikh Mujib has appealed to the people to regard good behaviour as a proof of patriotism. Minority problems are largely concentrated in certain areas such as the Mohammedpur suburb of Dacca.