পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (ত্রয়োদশ খণ্ড).pdf/১২৮

100 বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ ত্রয়োদশ খন্ড শিরোনাম সূত্র তারিখ বৃটিশ ত্রাণ তৎপরতা সম্পর্কে পররাষ্ট্র | কমনস সভার কার্যবিবরণী ১৮ই অক্টোবর, ১৯৭১ সচিবের বক্তব্য Statement by Sir Alec Douglas-Home, U.K. Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, in the British House of Commons October 18, 1971. MR. CORMACK (Cannock, C) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assistance had been and was being given by HM Government to the refugees from East Pakistan. SIR ALEC DOUGLAS-HOME-I have repeatedly expressed the view that the responsibility for a political settlement in East Pakistan lies with the Pakistan Government and people. The humanitarian aspects arc indeed a matter of international concern, and I am pleased to be able to announce that in response to U Thant's recent appeals, and to Prince Sadruddin Khan's appeal of October 11, HM Government are making available a further £7.5m for relief among the refugees in India and a further £ im for relief in East Pakistan. This brings our total contributions to over £ 14,750,000 for relief among the refugees, and £2m for relief in East Pakistan. I hope that other nations will also respond generously to U Thant's appeals. (Cheers.) MR. PRENTICE (East Ham. North, Lab)- Would the Foreign Secretary agree with the estimate that the cost of keeping the refugees alive is now running at something over £ lm a day and the cost of the last six months is more than twice as much as all the aid received from the whole world. Even larger figures than this are going to be required in the near future from Britain and other countries. SIR. A. DOUGLAS-HOME-We shall do what we can but I think other nations might match our effort.