§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the progress achieved by the administration in the northern part of Somalia, known as the Republic of Somaliland, towards regional stability; and what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to provide development aid as well as humanitarian aid.
§ Mrs. ChalkerNorthern Somalia has been more stable than the south since the fall of Siad Barre, although there are reports of some violent incidents in recent weeks. Our development aid programme to Somalia was closed in 1991. We have no present plans to reinstate it. We continue to provide aid in the north for projects which address both immediate humanitarian and rehabilitation needs.