HC Deb 28 March 1961 vol 637 cc1117-8
21. Mr. Dugdale

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action he is taking to deal with the famine in the Northern Province of Kenya.

Mr. H. Fraser

My right hon. Friend is informed that famine conditions at present exist only in the Turkana district of the Northern Province, and the situation there has been relieved by the generous assistance of the Royal Air Force who have flown supplies of food to this remote and almost inaccessible area.

As regards the financial assistance which Her Majesty's Government are providing for famine relief generally in Kenya, I would refer the right hon. Member to the last paragraph of my reply to the hon. and learned Member for West Ham, South (Mr. Elwyn Jones) on 28th February.

Mr. Dugdale

Whilst realising that this area is remote and virtually inaccessible, may I ask whether the hon. Gentleman will give his attention to it and be as much concerned with it as he would if the famine were in Stafford and Stone? Does he realise that human beings are involved?

Mr. Fraser

As the right hon. Gentleman knows, we are taking every step and, of course, we are vitally concerned with the matter. If the right hon. Gentleman looks at the previous Answer again, he will see that great assistance is being given.

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