asked the Lord Privy Seal what response Her Majesty's Government are making to the appeal by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for repatriating refugees to Rhodesia.

We have agreed, subject to parliamentary approval, to contribute up to £1,150,000. Of this amount, up to £150,000 will be provided in kind in 1979–80 and approval for this new service will be sought in the Spring Supplementary Estimates for the overseas assets of the board to be paid to the aid Vote. The repatriation operation is now under way, and the contribution is required urgently. Pending the approval of the Spring Supplementary Estimates, therefore, the necessary expenditure will be met by a repayable advance from the Contingencies Fund.