§ 37. Mr. WellsTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans Her Majesty's Government have to give further encouragement to the pursuit of structural adjustment in African countries.
§ Mrs. ChalkerSupport for the process of economic reform has been a central aspect of our aid policy for Africa for several years and will continue to be so. We pledged and provided a total of £250 million for the first phase of the World Bank's special programme of assistance for sub-Saharan Africa. We expect shortly to make a further substantial pledge for the second phase of this programme.
§ 38. Mr. RooneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the 27 African countries threatened with famine.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe Government are greatly concerned that 29 million people may be at risk of starvation in 25 African countries. Ethiopia, Sudan, Mozambique, Angola and Liberia are the most seriously affected with a total of over 20 million people at risk. HMG have committed over £118 million emergency assistance to these five countries since the beginning of 1989 and £22 million of relief aid to the rest of Africa. We are ready to do more through 1991.