§ Lord Molloyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are aware of reports that 30,000 black children die of malnutrition each year in South Africa; and whether they will give their support to other Commonwealth countries in condemning this situation.
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Young)We are aware of reports from the organisers of Operation Hunger that up to 50,000 children under the age of 5 die in South Africa each year and that this figure would probably double is sanctions were imposed against South Africa. General economic sanctions would be bound to lead to hardship. That is why we believe that we should take positive measures to assist black South Africans. We are increasing substantially the level of our bilateral aid programme and, with our European partners, adopting a concerted programme of assistance for the victims of apartheid.