HL Deb 19 June 1985 vol 465 cc259-60
Lord Taylor of Gryfe

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they can confirm that import or port duties are being imposed by the Government of Ethiopia on aid which has been donated by United Kingdom and United States agencies; whether they can estimate the amount of such levies; and whether representations have been made to the Government of Ethiopia to exempt aid from such levies.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Young)

My Lords, no Customs duties are levied by the Ethiopian Government on aid goods. The Ethiopian Maritime and Transit Services Commission levies a variety of fees which are used to administer the ports. Among these the agency charge is 12.60 United States dollars per tonne but this is reduced to 3.81 dollars per tonne for aid goods consigned to the Ethiopian Relief and Rehabilitation Commission. Since January this year a separate charge of 1.50 dollars per tonne has been waived for all aid consignments of over 5,000 tonnes. The United Nations co-ordinator, with our support, is seeking further reductions in the fees for aid goods.

Lord Taylor of Gryfe

My Lords, I should like to thank the Minister for that somewhat reassuring reply. Perhaps I may ask her whether import duties and duties at the port are not the same thing. They are a levy on aid which is provided. Will the noble Baroness confirm that, as stated in the Christian Science Monitor last month, the United States Government have been charged 5 million dollars in hard currency for goods donated by the United States to Ethiopian famine relief? Will she also confirm that some of the four-wheel-drive Land Rovers, which were paid for by Band Aid, are still in sheds at the port, while Ethiopian officials are negotiating the appropriate import duty on these vehicles?

Baroness Young

My Lords, on the general question of the fee, the agency fee charged at Ethiopian ports is high, though I understand that Ethiopian port charges are generally in line with those of other African ports. I can confirm to the noble Lord that, in common with other major donors, we have channelled our representations about this state of affairs through the United Nations co-ordinator, who acts on behalf of all donors on questions of this kind. On the two other points the noble Lord made about the charges made to the United States Government and the aid given by the Band Aid group, I have no information and I cannot confirm them or otherwise.

Lord Oram

My Lords, I fully share the concern expressed by the noble Lord, Lord Taylor, and the Minister about the policies of the Ethiopian Government. May I ask the Minister whether she agrees with me that the paramount objective should be getting food through to the starving peasants? Does she agree that the Government and the voluntary agencies must continue to do all they can to achieve that objective, even if there is some expense in overcoming the administrative and fiscal barriers erected by the Ethiopian Government?

Baroness Young

My Lords, I am sure the whole House would agree with the point that the noble Lord, Lord Oram, has made, that what is essential is to get the aid through. Nevertheless, I think we take the point of the noble Lord, Lord Taylor, and we are making representations.

Lord Harmar-Nicholls

My Lords, is not the position that if the media really want to play a part in these humanitarian endeavours they should give headlines to the point brought out in this Question, which must be news to many people who would not have thought it possible?

Baroness Young

My Lords, of course that is a matter for the media.

Lord Avebury

My Lords, is not one of the reasons so much aid is required by Ethiopia that, by conscription, they are removing young men from the land and thus reducing the ability of the peasants to feed the people in the rural areas? Will not the Government, in conjunction with our allies, make representations to the Derg that conscription should be ended and the wars against the subject peoples brought to an end so that Ethiopia does not need so much aid in future?

Baroness Young

My Lords, I note the point of the noble Lord, Lord Avebury. However, I think that he would agree that it is wide of the specific Question that has been raised, which is about the duties levied.

Lord Taylor of Gryfe

My Lords, may I welcome the representations that have been made by Her Majesty's Government and other aid donors in this field—not that these should be directed towards reducing the amount of aid but so that this disincentive to giving aid will be removed and people will feel that the full benefit of their donation is being fully realised in aid for suffering.

Baroness Young

My Lords, yes, I take the point. I should say that there is no evidence of corruption or excess profits on this. However, as I indicated earlier, we shall support the efforts of the United Nations co-ordinator to seek a reduction in the fees levied at the ports.

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