§ 46. Mr. Nigel EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the work of the ODA convoy drivers in the former Yugoslavia.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydBritish supplies to central Bosnia and the UN protected areas total some 47,000 tonnes in 600 convoys to date. I welcome this opportunity to pay tribute to the bravery and dedication of our drivers and mechanics and also their local interpreters.
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§ Mr. BarnesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the latest position regarding humanitarian aid to the former Yugoslavia; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydWe remain most concerned about the large number of people at risk in the former Yugoslavia over the coming winter. Britain's financial commitments for humanitarian aid are now £152 million, including our share of EC expenditure. We shall continue to do all we can to support the UN international relief effort, as long as security conditions are tolerable.
§ Mr. BurdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking(a) domestically and (b) internationally to ensure that the target of the emergency appeal launched by the UNHCR is reached.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydUNHCR has 18 special program-mes around the world for which funding is sought, in addition to its general programmes. Britain's contributions to UNHCR so far this year, including the value of our assistance to the UNHCR-led operation in former Yugoslavia, amount to £48 million. This is more than we contributed in the whole of 1992. If the value of our contributions through the European Community are also taken into account, Britain is the second largest national donor to UNHCR this year.
We regularly encourage other Governments to contribute to UNHCR, most recently associating ourselves with an appeal for support at this month's executive committee of UNHCR.