HC Deb 23 May 1977 vol 932 cc377-9W
Mr. John Davies

asked the Prime Minister if he will clarify the Government's policy concerning humanitarian and other aid to liberation movements in the light of his reported answer to the supplementary question by the right hon. Member for Knutsford of 3rd May, as now amended in accordance with Mr. Speaker's statement of 9th May.

The Prime Minister

The Government's policy is based on the recognition that the situation in Southern Africa has created problems for nationals of countries where majority rule has not yet been achieved. Assistance is not being provided directly to liberation movements as such, and the Government have not supported their armed activities, although individual members of some liberation movements in Southern Africa have benefited under programmes of development assistance we have financed. The Government have given help for the relief and welfare needs of refugees in Southern Africa as well as financing programmes of education and training for Rhodesians, Namibians and others.

The British bilateral training programme from Rhodesians originated in 1966. In the 10 years to 1976, 2,076 training awards were made in the United Kingdom. In addition, under programmes instituted in 1975, 532 awards for higher education have been made, tenable at institutes in third countries of the Commonwealth. The cost of these activities and of two small projects in support of mission secondary schools and secretarial training is likely to amount to £3.6 million in 1977–78.

Bilateral training arrangements for Namibians living outside Namibia were initiated in early 1975, when we pledged £35,000 to cover 20 training awards for Namibians put forward by the South West African People's Organisation (SWAPO), and other educational needs. In August 1976 the Namibian training programme was expanded to cover Namibians put forward by other Namibian organisations; currently there are 26 Namibians on training courses in the United Kingdom. In addition, in 1975 £2,200 of educational and other equipment was provided for schools operated by SWAPO in Zambia. We intend to continue to finance these Rhodesian and Namibian programmes, which are designed to build up resources of skilled manpower in anticipation of independence.

Since the inception of the United Nations Education and Training Programme for Southern Africa we have been major contributors. From 1969 to 1972 we contributed £50,000 per year; since 1973 the contributions has been £70,000 per year and we have pledged £80,000 to it this year. This United Nations programme has arranged training for Rhodesians, Namibians and others £10,000 was contributed to the United Nations Fund for Namibia in 1975. In 1975, £5,000 was contributed to the United Nations Institute for Namibia in Lusaka, which trains Namibians and carries out research. This year we have begun bilaterally to support the Institute, and in March we announced a pledge of £50,000 to the Institute through the United Nations.

In addition to our regular contributions to the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF), £20,000 was contributed to UNICEF in February 1975 for humanitarian assistance through liberation movements to women and children refugees from Namibia living in Zambia. In addition to our regular contributions to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), in October 1976 a special contribution of £100,000 was offered to the UNHCR to be used both for the provision of accommodation and welfare facilities for Rhodesian refugees in Mozambique, and in the longer term for the support of the UNHCR's assistance in agriculture, health and education; this contribution has since been implemented. In April 1977 the Government announced a further pledge of £200,000 to the UNHCR to provide assistance for Rhodesian refugees, especially children, in countries adjacent to Rhodesia.