TNAG-0587-FCO40-720-Aid-from-UK-for-Vietnamese-refugees-in-Hong-Kong-1976 — Page 44

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I must stress that in times of economic difficulty this very limited number of Governments can hardly be expected to sustain such an imbalance indefinitely. I was therefore, to be frank, a little surprised to note at the time of the High Commissioner's appeal for a special contribution towards a revised 1976 programme that one reason given for the need for more money was a failure by some major donors to meet their pledges of contributions quickly enough. It may be that a delay occurred. I feel however that a reference to the failure of some other governments to increase their contributions, or to contribute at all, is called for. We are indeed fortunate that the Netherlands and the Nordic countries came to the rescue of the supplementary budget for this year with their generous contributions.

But

I apologise, Mr Chairman, for speaking so bluntly. I think that the United Kingdom Government has earned the right to be critical on this score. We remain, despite difficulties, one of the 12 Governments I mentioned before. I am pleased to be able to announce that, subject to Parliamentary approval, the United Kingdom contribution to the 1977 general assistance programme, will be increased to £350,000.

Indeed,

I would like now to turn to another administrative question: that of public relations. I am sure we have all been impressed by the wealth of public relations material put out by the UNHCR, by its high quality and polished, if not glossy, finish and by the skill of those engaged by the Office in this work.

But one is forced to ask oneself what sort of return is the UNHCR receiving for its outlay on public relations material? To whom is the public relations material directed? And for what purposes? Is it aimed at the non-traditional donor governments? If not, should not these governments be the focus of attention for this publicity effort?

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I can appreciate that there is a need for the man in the street to know of the terrible plight of refugees around the world. Public opinion in these matters is important. And in this connection we are very proud of the work performed by the Standing Conference of British Organisations. from private citizens the personal sacrifices that individual people make for their less fortunate bretheren - are always especially praise-worthy. But let us not forget that it is governments who must carry the lions share of the bills for the UNHCR's assistance efforts and it is to them that the UNHCR should be addressing itself.

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I would hope therefore in the documents before us next year that we might be provided with the data which would enable us to assess the cost-effectiveness of the public relations activities of the Office.

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