§ 71. Miss LestorTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will consider assisting the World Food Programme in obtaining the powdered milk, vegetable oil and protein-rich biscuits required in Ethiopia for children under the age of 14 years.
§ Mr. Chris PattenNo request has been made to us by the world food programme. We are aware of the need for food to supplement the basic diet on Ethiopia and have provided £189,000 to meet the cost of 1,000 tonnes of beans which are being distributed by the International Committee of the Red Cross. We shall also be meeting our share of the cost of the substantial qualities of supplementary food being provided by the European Community.
§ 74. Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to ensure that famine aid to Ethiopia is reaching the intended recipients.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThe assistance we provide is generally channelled through international and voluntary agencies with extensive experience of getting relief quickly and effectively to those in need. It is carefully monitored to ensure it reaches the intended beneficiaries.
§ Mr. BellinghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he plans to make to the Ethiopian Government, in the light of recent consignments of corned beef that have been shipped from that country into the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Chris PattenI have no plans to make further representations to the Ethiopian Government on the subject of exports of corned beef from that country to the United Kingdom. The availability of corned beef does not seem relevant to the famine problem now affecting large numbers of Ethiopians; and exports of that commodity should bring in much needed foreign exchange.