§ Mr. Peter Millsasked the Lord Privy Seal (1) in view of the severe famine 96W in parts of East Africa, whether any initiative is contemplated by the United Kingdom, in concert with other members of the European Economic Community, to help overcome this problem by food aid;
(2) in view of the severe famine in parts of East Africa, if he will provide help in the form of foodstuffs.
§ Mr. HurdWe and the European Community have already responded to this situation in various ways, including the provision of food aid. The Community has in recent months committed to East Africa emergency aid worth 9 million European units of account, of which the United Kingdom share is about £1 million.
We have separately pledged £850,000 for refugee relief in Somalia and my right hon. and noble Friend stated in another place on 18 June that the bulk of this would take the form of 5,000 tonnes of food aid. We have spent or committed over £110,000 to assist the transport and distribution in Uganda of food and medical supplies provided by international organisations and British charities.