পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (ত্রয়োদশ খণ্ড).pdf/৩৬

ংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ ত্রয়োদশ খন্ড Mrs. Hart: Will the Minister consider two points? The first is that there is probably an urgent need for relief in India where the refugees from East Pakistan have been going so recently. Will he therefore, consider the need for an immediate relief operation there? Secondly, will he give details, perhaps in the OFFICIAL REPORT, of the precise projects at present under way in East and West Pakistan respectively, because in the light of the very much lower standard of living and G.N.P. in East Pakistan there are many on this side of the House who would wish us to concentrate on projects in East Pakistan? Mr. Wood: I shall certainly do my best to provide the information for which the Right Hon. Lady has asked. 41. Mr. Barnes asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the result of his review of the question of arms contracts with Pakistan. Sir Alec Douglas-Home: I have reviewed the position, which is as I informed the House on 29th March. No contracts have been signed since 1967 with the exception of one for refitting a naval vessel and another for radar equipment. There is none in prospect. -[Vol.814, c. 1149.) Mr. Barnes: Although Britain is a small supplier of arms to Pakistan, does not the Right Hon. Gentleman agree that when a Government use arms that they have acquired from other nations for external defence in the appalling way in which the Government of Pakistan did against their own people, surely it is the concern of all nations in the arms-supplying business? Does not the Right Hon. Gentleman agree that Britain should have reacted immediately in for stronger terms to what happened in East Pakistan than she did? Sir Alec Douglas-Home: We reacted very quickly to the horrible events that took place in Pakistan-but these events do take place in civil wars. As for the Hon. Member's Question, I have reviewed the position. There are not outstanding contracts of any significance. I shall keep the matter under review, but I sec no reason to alter Her Majesty's Government's policy now. Mr. Wilkinson: Has my Right Hon. Friend been in contact with the military or Ministerial representatives of Pakistan in the course of the present S.E.A.T.O. conference? As Pakistan is a S.E.A.T.O. ally of ours, will may Right Hon. Friend ensure that the military capability of Pakistan, which is a linchpin of that alliance, is maintained as far as possible? Sir Alec Douglas-Home: Pakistan is a S.E.A.T.O. ally, as my Hon. Friend says, The Question referred to whether I have reviewed the questions of arms contracts to Pakistan. The answer is "Yes", and I am satisfied that we need not change our policy Ꭵ}ᎤᎳ.