পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (ত্রয়োদশ খণ্ড).pdf/১১২

84 ংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ ত্রয়োদশ খন্ড British charities. We have made available the transport necessary to make sure that the supplies arrive and we will continue to do this as necessary. I have told U Thant that we are ready to supply medical and qualified administrative staff. As far as food is concerned, our pledged aid will be channeled through the United Nations. The response of the British charities to the challenge has been magnificent, but the size of this problem requires co-ordination and direction by a central body. The Indian Government have responded with generosity and resource but clearly the burden is such that it must not rest solely on them. Her Majesty's Government believe therefore that the responsibility must be assumed by the United Nations. U Thant has appointed the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees as coordinator. The High Commissioner himself is now in Pakistan and has representatives on the ground in West Bengal and in East Pakistan. I have told U Thant that we are ready to make further contributions in money and kind as the situation demands and that I hope the coordinator will ensure that all the help from public bodies and private sources will be applied to the best advantage. There are three problems which are inter-related. The first is that of the refugees. To halt the flow and to arrange their return to Pakistan requires the restoration of confidence in East Pakistan which in turn depends upon a political settlement. Secondly there is the ability of the Pakistan economy to sustain life throughout the whole country. No new aid is being supplied, but to stop development schemes already under way would throw thousands out of work and simply add new areas of misery to an already heart-rending situation. There is, finally, the possibility of widespread starvation later in the year in East Pakistan by reason of the disruption of communications and of a short-fall in the rice harvest. Plans must be made by the Pakistan Government in cooperation with the United Nations coordinator urgently to anticipate this need. I will keep the House informed as the situation develops. Mrs. Judith Hart: I thank the Right Hon. Gentleman for that statement and very much share his own appreciation of the efforts of the British voluntary aid organisation. May I put three questions to him? First, given the sheer scale of suffering and need, will he not consider giving substantially more now to assist the relief operations, both to U Thant's United Nations fund and directly to India, having regard to the fact that up to £2 million even with the promise of more to come, is not a sufficient immediate measure of present British concern about the problem? Second, as to the future aid programme to Pakistan, will the Right Hon. Gentleman confirm that, at the forthcoming meeting of the Pakistan aid consortium, against the background of the extremely serious foreign exchange and economic crisis in Pakistan, the Government will, as they have said, regard a peaceful political settlement as essential for any resumed or future aid programme?