§ 27. Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on policy with regard to Afghanistan.
§ Mr. HurdThe Soviet invasion and occupation of Afghanistan continues to be a major setback to hopes for world peace and decent standards of international behaviour. We have given or pledged more than £11 million of cash and food aid to Afghan refugees in Pakistan. Following the Soviet invasion in December 1979, our ambassador in Kabul was withdrawn, all capital and training aid to Afghanistan was suspended, and British Council operations in Afghanistan were closed down. These measures remain in force. We continue to make every effort to ensure that the situation in Afghanistan is not forgotten by the international community, and to reaffirm our belief that the Soviet Union should withdraw its forces immediately.