HC Deb 08 November 1982 vol 31 c309
57. Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response Her Majesty's Government have made to the requests for food aid made by the Ethiopian Government to meet the famine in that country caused by drought.

Mr. Neil Marten

We have received no such request, but are monitoring the situation.

Mr. Bennett

What is the state of drought in Ethiopia? Have the Ethiopian Government approached the EEC for aid and, if so, will the British Government support that?

Mr. Marten

There are conflicting reports, but our embassy in Ethiopia is monitoring the position carefully. The first stage is that the Ethiopian Government must make a request to our local embassy. On the question of the EEC, in 1982 it provided 20,000 tonnes of cereals, 2,000 tonnes of milk powder and 1,000 tonnes of butter oil.

Mr. Bowen Wells

Although I have every sympathy with those who are starving in Ethiopia, may I ask my right hon. Friend to ensure that if food aid is given to Ethiopia, its Government change their policies so that the country can produce more of its own food?

Mr. Marten

We are doing all that we can to persuade all developing countries to produce more of their own food.

Mr. James Johnson

Is it not a fact that the Ethiopian Government under the late Haile Selassie annexed Eritrea, and that the present Government, under Mengistu, conquered the Ogaden? As Eritrea is peopled by ethnic Eritreans—the Tigre and others—and as there are ethnic Somalis in Ogaden, will the Minister ensure that if the Government give food and goods to Addis Ababa, they reach those subject peoples?

Mr. Marten

We shall certainly do our best. One problem in giving food aid is ensuring that it reaches the right people.