HC Deb 05 December 1985 vol 88 c306W
Mr. Onslow

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he takes to ensure that grain given as food aid to Ethiopia reaches the people for whom it is intended; and if he is satisfied that it always does so.

Mr. Raison

We do all we can to ensure that food aid reaches its intended destination. Following standard practice the Ethiopian Government, through which most of our food aid passes, provides the world food programme (WFP), acting for the British Government in this case, with facilities to monitor, transport, storage and distribution of food aid. The WFP fulfils this obligation through a network of food monitors, including two from the United Kingdom who are financed by my Department. The remainder of our food aid passes through voluntary organisations which organise and monitor its distribution on our behalf. Although there may be occasional lapses, I am in general satisfied with the reports I receive.