HC Deb 18 March 1985 vol 75 cc630-2
43. Mr. Tom Cox

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the amount of grain sent by the European Economic Community to Sudan in 1984; and what was the price paid for it.

Mr. Raison

The European Community delivered 13,000 tonnes of cereals, together with 3,117 tonnes of milk powder and 1,355 tonnes of butter oil to Sudan in 1984. The cost was about £6.8 million.

Mr. Cox

Is the Minister aware that there are now enormous stocks of grain in the EEC? Does he agree that it is deplorable that the figures that he has just given were the same last year? Can he assure us that this year much more grain will be sent to Sudan from EEC countries and that the price will be advantageous to Sudan? Can he assure us—this has happened with other commodities—that grain will not be sold at the cheapest possible price to eastern Europe? Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that those who have given generously to help alleviate the famine in Africa look for such action from the Government? Will he ensure that it takes place?

Mr. Raison

The quantity delivered last year was not very large, but the House must remember that it was only late in the year that the Sudan Government asked for assistance. The Community and its member states have now committed almost 170,000 tonnes of grain for this year. That is a substantial amount. I have stressed to the Community, and the Commissioner, whom I saw two weeks ago, that it is important that large quantities should go and that they should go as soon as possible.

Mr. Robert Banks

I am aware that my right hon. Friend has a special knowledge of the Sudan. May I ask him, following his recent visit to that country, whether he hopes that larger quantities of grain from the EC can be got to that country? Is he satisfied with how it is distributed to the starving people there?

Mr. Raison

It is important that large quantities go from the EC. The committed amount is substantial. It is crucial to get on with delivery before the hoped for rains come in June. I believe that the grain will reach those who most need it, but one must always be careful about the business of distribution.

Mr. Skinner

Does the Minister remember that in the early 1970s the Euro-fanatics were telling us that one reason why we should go into the Common Market was that if the 10 nations got together they could help the Third world and enable the starving millions to be fed? Has not that dream faded as rapidly as the SDP has faded from our Benches?

Mr. Raison

The hon. Gentleman is exactly wrong. The European development fund—the Lomé convention —is one of the most valuable and positive aspects of the European Community. Whatever one may think about grain mountains and so on, they mean that substantial quantities of food are available to be sent to famine-struck areas, and that is now happening.

Mr. Baldry

My right hon. Friend will be aware that many of the problems of Sudan are the result of the civil war in Ethiopia. Will he avail himself of any opportunity that he may have to talk to the Ethiopian Foreign Minister, who is in London this week, and to impress upon him the fact that the House would be delighted if the Ethiopian Government would initiate peace talks with the Eritrean and Tigrean rebels, with a view to establishing a ceasefire that would allow food aid to get to all parts of Ethiopia and stop the people of Ethiopia from simply killing themselves?

Mr. Raison

The House will agree with the sentiments expressed by my hon. Friend. He knows that there would be great difficulties in persuading the Ethiopian Government to have formal talks with the representatives of the liberation movements. On the other hand, many people have made clear to the Ethiopian Government the great importance of making sure that food reaches all the people who are suffering so badly at the present time.