§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what applications the Overseas Development Administration has received for internal purchase of grain in Tigray and Eritrea; on what grounds these applications have been accepted or rejected; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerWhere internal purchase of grain offers a cost effective and timely means of providing food to those in need I am willing to consider funding proposals from British voluntary agencies. I would also need to be sure that the distribution can be adequately monitored and accountability for the public funds involved would be fully assured. We have received proposals from Oxfam and CAFOD—Catholic Fund for Overseas Development.
These agencies have agreed to review their proposals to take account of the effects of recent developments in Ethiopia on the relief operation, including the internal purchase scheme. I await their revised applications.