HC Deb 14 May 1990 vol 172 c339W
61. Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Government Ministers last discussed Vietnam with the United States Government.

Mrs. Chalker

The Government keep in regular touch, both at ministerial and official level, with the United States Government on the problem of the Vietnamese boat people. I last discussed matters in Washington on 23 April.

Mr. Mullin

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has considered the proposals recently put to him by a consortium of non-governmental organisations for aid to Vietnam; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Chalker

I am still considering these proposals. I hope to make a statement shortly.

68. Sir David Steel

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent contact Her Majesty's Government have had with the Government of Vietnam about the funding of an aid programme in that country.

Mrs. Chalker

I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Taunton (Mr. Nicholson) on 16 January at column178. We have made it clear to the Vietnamese authorities that we expect them to meet their responsibilities towards their own people, including the boat people in Hong Kong, as a precondition for starting a Government-to-Government aid programme. I have since received proposals for NGO programmes in Vietnam, which are being considered.