§ Q3. Mr. Hugh Fraserasked the Prime Minister whether he will now make a statement on the implementation of Her Majesty's Government's proposals for famine relief for East and Central Africa.
§ Q6. Mr. Wallasked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on British aid for drought relief in Rhodesia.
§ Q9. Mr. Blakerasked the Prime Minister what progress has been made in connection with the proposals of Her Majesty's Government for relieving the consequences of drought in East and Central Africa.
§ The Prime MinisterI would refer hon. Members to the Answer I gave on 27th January to a Question by the hon. Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Edward M. Taylor).
§ Mr. FraserMay I congratulate the Prime Minister on one of the greatest nonevents organised even by him? Will he now do something to help where there is a shortage and famine? Will he authorise the Bank of England to release to Rhodesia the£8,000 or more of Oxfam money which has been collected in this country?
§ The Prime MinisterThe right hon. Gentleman's opening words show the level to which public comment on that side of the House has fallen—
§ Mr. FraserMay I hand this paper to the right hon. Gentleman? Can it be passed across to him?
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The right hon. Gentleman should conduct himself in an orderly way.
§ The Prime Minister—if he deals with a serious and grave humanitarian problem with that kind of remark. The position as I explained, and as it was more fully explained by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies in a Written Answer yesterday, is that we have given a great deal of help in the case of Bechuanaland. In the case of Basutoland, we are about to start a new and important programme. In the case of Rhodesia, the information which has reached us suggests that the situation with regard to food supplies for the human population there is not critical but may become so, in which case we will take action to deal with it as soon as the crop figures are known. With regard to Zambia, we were promised by last weekend a statement of requirements but it has not come yet. We shall take action as soon as we get it.
§ Mr. WallIs the Prime Minister aware that, although these activities did receive great publicity, nothing has been done as far as Rhodesia is concerned? Matabeleland is now suffering its fourth year of drought. Will the Prime Minister take action to prevent African people dying there in the near future?
§ The Prime MinisterWe took immediate steps to see what were the requirements in Rhodesia, in spite of some scathing remarks of Mr. Smith about this exercise and his unwillingness to co-operate in working out what was required. We have got information suggesting that with the recent fall of rains there is no immediate crisis so far as foodstuffs are concerned. We shall hear from the Governor what requirements there are and we shall take immediate steps to see that supplies get there.
Mr. BlakeyIs it not a fact that the Prime Minister's plans were announced at the time as an emergency operation which was vitally necessary? In addition to what was already planned under previous programmes, how many extra tons of food have actually arrived on the ground in Africa in the last month?
§ The Prime MinisterSo far as Bechuanaland is concerned, we are at the present time feeding 105,000 out of a population of 540,000. So far as the others are concerned, we have asked immediately and urgently for requirements so that we can meet them. When we have those requirements, we will deal with them.