SIR ALEC DOUGLAS-HOME, Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary (Kinross and West Perth, C.). made a statement about the situation in East Pakistan.

Within East Pakistan (he said) communications have been disrupted as a consequence of the recent strife and there may well be food shortages later this year, particularly in areas already affected by last year's cyclone. I repeat that her Majesty's Government stand ready to play a part in an international relief effort, and that it is our view that this can best be organized through the United Nations.

U Thant is in touch with the Pakistan Government on the problems of relief. I hope that they will be ready to allow a team of experts to make an objective appraisal of what is needed and that they will be prepared to accept assistance, if that is judged to be needed on an 'international basis.

There is the separate problem of aid and assistance to the Pakistan economy in general. Pakistan faces serious economic difficulties including shortage of foreign exchange. Consultations about these problems are proceeding within the framework of the aid consortium under the chairmanship of the World Bank and decisions about future action must await the result of these consultations.

There is finally the problem of the very considerable number of refugees who have crossed from East Pakistan into India. Already a consortium of British charities has decided to offer assistance. They asked for Government assistance to transport supplies necessary for health and shelter.

I decided that her Majesty's Government should make an immediate contribution, and this has been done. Supplementary provision for approximately £18,000 will be sought in due course and if necessary an advance will be made in the meantime from the Civil Contingency Fund.

The Indian Government has approached the United Nations for assistance over the refugees and a United Nations team is now in India to assess the need for international help. As with the other problems which have mentioned, I consider that this matter is best handled by international organizations.

MR. HEALEY (Leeds, East, Lab.) said all would agree on the advantage of involving the United Nations in the problem. Some of the dangers in prospect might justify involving the United Nations in the political aspects no less than the relief aspects.

SIR A. DOUGLAS-HOME said the human tragedy was very real and the scale of it, from the point of view of the refugees, and the possible scale of relief which would be necessary later on in the year was great and justified bringing in the United Nations.

A political settlement must be for the people of Pakistan. No one could dictate this from outside. The British Government had been in close touch with the President of Pakistan about the need for a political settlement as the only way to solve the problem.

The difficultly of distributing food in the area — which was there in sufficient quantities — was one of communications. Distribution had to be done by the Pakistan Army and this presented difficulties in itself.

That is why (he added) I would urge that a team should go in as quickly as possible to assess the need and to see how the food can be distributed to the people.