HC Deb 19 January 1989 vol 145 c270W
Mr. Caborn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much assistance has been granted by the EEC to the Church organisations in South Africa that have been subject to recent bomb and arson attacks; and what form this assistance has taken.

Mr. Chris Patten

The European Community has channelled some 22 mecu (over £14 million) through the South African Council of Churches and the South African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC) under the special programme of assistance for victims of apartheid which began in 1986. The United Kingdom's share of this total amounts to some £3 million. The EC programme has financed 70 separate projects implemented by many non-governmental organisations throughout South Africa. The EC has also approved projects to help replace some of the SACBC equipment destroyed, and to help provide new accommodation and facilities for a number of affected organisations, including Church groups.

Mr. Caborn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much assistance has been given by Her Majesty's Government to the Church organisations in South Africa that have been subject to recent bomb and arson attacks; and what form this assistance has taken.

Mr. Chris Patten

Britain's contribution to the needs of the Church organisations in question has been through the share we contribute to the European Community's programme. In addition Britain has provided modest assistance to replace equipment for some of the other organisations based in the same buildings.