§ 43. Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made towards meeting the urgent need for humanitarian aid and development aid to the republic of Somaliland.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydWe want to help all Somalis in need. Since January 1991, we have provided £11.6 million worth of humanitarian assistance to Somalia, including our share of European Community aid.
§ Mr. MichaelWhile I appreciate the importance of the aid that is being given, does the Minister accept that stability is necessary if there is to be a reconstruction of the economy of Somaliland and if the thousands who have had to flee to refugee camps in Ethiopia and elsewhere are to be able to return home and society restored in that part of the country? Does the Minister accept that the people of the republic of Somaliland look not only to the international community and the United Nations but particularly to the United Kingdom to help them to restore stability?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydWe have given nearly £2 million worth of aid to the north of the country in question. The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. Stability is a necessary prerequisite before substantial rehabilitation help can be given. All rehabilitation depends upon an improvement in security. We have been pressing the United Nations to step up its efforts in northern Somalia towards that end and have emphasised precisely the point that the hon. Gentleman has made.