§ Sir Dudley SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the significance of the worldwide services of the Red Cross in relieving suffering in all its aspects; and what recent contact he and his officials have had with the International Committee of the Red Cross.
§ Mr. EggarWe consider that the International Committee of the Red Cross has a vital role to play in promoting the 1949 Geneva Conventions and offering humanitarian relief to civilians and military victims in times of armed conflict, internal strife and other man-made disasters.
The President of the ICRC, Mr. Sommaruga, paid an official visit to the United Kingdom shortly after his appointment in June 1987. He called on my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Overseas Development and myself. I met the vice-president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mr. Aubert, in Geneva on 18 February. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials in Geneva and London enjoy regular contact with the ICRC.
§ Sir Dudley SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial contribution the United Kingdom makes towards the Red Cross in Geneva; and when the figure concerned will next be reviewed.
§ Mr. EggarWe gave approximately £7 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross in 1987. Of this, £240,000 went to the regular budget. This contribution is reviewed annually and the estimate for 1988–89 has been submitted for parliamentary approval. In response to ICRC special appeals, we contributed £6.75 million in 1987.