HC Deb 30 November 1977 vol 940 cc250-1W
Mr. Newens

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if she has received any requests for aid to assist the refugees from the Western Sahara; and if she will make a statement.

Mr. Tomlinson

In response to requests in 1976 from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Her Majesty's Government made available £40,000 for humanitarian aid for refugees from the Western Sahara. These funds were channelled through the British Red Cross Society. I have since received from the London Representative of UNHCR a request for further aid for a number of special appeals, including that for the refugees from the Western Sahara. These are still under consideration, but in the meantime I have authorised a doubling of the United Kingdom's 1977 contribution to the UNHCR regular programme.