পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (ত্রয়োদশ খণ্ড).pdf/২৯

ংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ ত্রয়োদশ খন্ড শিরোনাম সূত্র তারিখ বৃটিশ পররাষ্ট্র ও কমনওয়েথ বিষয়ক কমনস সভার কার্যবিবরণী ২৯ মার্চ, ১৯৭১ সচিব স্যার ডগলাস হিউম-এর মন্তব্য এবং বাংলাদেশ পরিস্থিতি সম্পর্কে বিতর্ক PAKISTAN The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Sir Alec Douglas -Home): With your permission, Mr. Speaker, and that of the House, I should like to make a statement on the situation in Pakistan. The whole House will join me in regretting the loss of life in Pakistan, a fellow member of the Commonwealth and in hoping for a restoration of normal conditions. As the House will appreciate this is an internal matter affecting relations between two parts of a sovereign country, and I will not be expected to speculate on political matters which are the concern of the Pakistan Government. Her Majesty's Government are, however, watching the situation very closely, and we remain in constant touch with the Pakistan authorities. A fortnight ago, on the advice of the Deputy High Commissioner in Dacca, some 200United Kingdom and Commonwealth women and children were evacuated from East Pakistan. In the past few days of disturbances, we have had no reports of any injury to members of the British Community in East Pakistan, who now number about 700. The British Council offices and library in Dacca were attacked in the course of operations on the night of 25th March in the area of the university; the damage cannot yet be properly assessed, but no member of the Council Staff was hurt. There are no other reports of damage to British property, but, as communications from East Pakistan have been restricted and communications between Dacca and other parts of the Province disrupted, the House will appreciate that our information may not be complete. I shall keep the House informed. Mr. Healey: I thank the Foreign Secretary for that report. The whole House shares hit deep sorrow at recent events in Pakistan. We recognize that at the moment information must necessarily be incomplete, and we welcome the Right Hon. Gentleman's assurance that he will make another statement when more information is available. The House will be particularly concerned for the safety of British lives and property, and in this connection I should like the Right Hon. Gentleman to answer two questions. First, does he know who was responsible for the attack on the British Council offices in Dacca, and are steps being taken to obtain compensation for any damage caused? Second, has he an assurance from the authorities in East Pakistan that all assistance will be given should it be necessary to evacuate further British personnel? Sir Alec Douglas-Home: The answer to the Right Hon. Gentleman's last question is, "Yes", although the Deputy High Commissioner, as we understand it, does not advise further evacuation at this time. The Army was responsible, as we understand it, for the