89 ংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ ত্রয়োদশ খন্ড think that the President of Pakistan is convinced of this. He tells us that he is busily engaged in trying to create the political structure on the ground in East Pakistan which will give the necessary confidence to the refugees to return. I gather that he has acquainted the High Commissioner for Refugees with the prospect of some political settlement in East Pakistan which may give confidence to some of the refugees to return. I do not think that we can do anything more at the moment, but I am naturally keeping a very close eye on this. Mr. Longden: While welcoming what my Right Hon. Friend has said, and in no way criticizing Her Majesty's Government for what they have done, may I revert to the future? Why is it that there are inevitably these endless, unconscionable delays between the happening of an international catastrophe and the world's waking up to do something about it? Why has not the United Nations long since set up this central body on a permanent basis? Sir Alec Douglas-Home: This is a matter for the United Nations. I told the Hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Alfred Morris) of the initiative I took following the proposal he had made. I hope that the examination by U Thant will reveal that it is possible to set up such a body, so that we can lay hands on medical supplies and personnel as required and in good time, not missing the vital days so often missed when emergencies take place. The report, as I say, is coming out shortly. Mr. Cater-Jones: I thank the Right Hon. Gentleman for his statement about the help which has already been given to India, but do not his figures reveal that the amount of aid required is out of all proportion to the amount of aid already given, and that what is needed is a massive demonstration of what can be done for these suffering millions now? Sir Alec Douglas-Home: I am sure that there will be enough money. What is wanted now on the ground is organisation and administration, in the hope that the cholera epidemic can be checked. The equipment is there, the vaccine is there and there is enough saline there, and one hopes that the epidemic will be controlled. Mr. Tom King: I appreciate the short-term concern about this urgent problem, but does not my Right Hon. Friend agree that East Pakistan is the dearest warning of what the population explosion problem will present to the world? Does he not recognize the need for Her Majesty's Government to give greater urgency to world discussion of this problem? Sir Alec Douglas-Howe: The Indian Government have taken an initiative in this matter, and certainly Her Majesty's Government arc interested in the point my Hon. Friend has raised. Mr. John Mendelson: With reference to an earlier reply made by the Foreign Secretary to my Right Hon. Friend the Leader of the Opposition, my experience, which must have been that of other Hon. Members during the last few days, is that when I have deliberately quoted all that Her Majesty's Government are already doing many constituents of all political and religious persuasions have asked whether there could not be more urgency and whether there has not been too much delay. It is the duty of Hon. Members to raise this matter here and the Foreign Secretary should welcome the opportunity to reply
