§ Baroness Ewart-Biggsasked Her Majesty's Government:
How much aid they are providing to support non-governmental organisation projects in Vietnam; and what are their criteria for restoring bilateral aid to Vietnam.
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (The Earl of Caithness)In addition to the £1 million made available in May 1990 for the special scheme in Haiphong and Quang Ninh provinces referred to in my Answer of today's date, we have commitments under the joint funding scheme for projects in Vietnam totalling £62,000. We would welcome further NGO proposals under both schemes and are considering some at the moment. We also expect to contribute approximately one-fifth of the costs of the EC's proposed major repatriation and reintegration programme for returning boat people.
If Vietnam continues to make progress in resolving the boat people problem, we are ready to consider a modest government-to-government aid programme.