§ 21. Mr. Chetwyndasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what assistance has been given to combat the locust plague in the Middle East.
§ Mr. Selwyn LloydHer Majesty's Government are assisting, through the operations of the Desert Locust Control Organisation in Nairobi, in combating the locusts in their breeding areas, which stretch from Ethiopia and Somalia, through Arabia, to the Persian Gulf. The Entomological Adviser to the British Middle East Office is also at present assisting the Jordan Government in organising control measures to meet the present invasion, and the Royal Air Force have flown insecticide and equipment into Jordan.
In addition, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, and the Governments of the United States, Pakistan, India, Soviet Russia, Italy and Turkey are sending or have promised equipment, supplies and technical help to Middle East countries to meet the present emergency.
§ Mr. ChetwyndCan the right hon. and learned Gentleman say whether this excellent co-operation between all the countries concerned is having any appreciable affect upon the plague? Is the plague under control?
§ Mr. HastingsCan the right hon. and learned Gentleman say how many aeroplanes are co-operating in this useful work?