§ Mr. Donald AndersonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contribution he will make via the World Food Programme, the EC or bilaterally to the famine relief effort in Madagascar; and what estimate he makes of the number of people who will be fed, and for how long, by the British contribution.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydSo far this year, the European Community has provided over 13,000 tonnes of food aid for Madagascar, worth £1.3 million, including 12,000 tonnes of cereals delivered in April. The United Kingdom share of the cost of this food aid is £235,000. In addition, the Commission is planning an early contribution to a World Food Programme ( WFP) project aimed at feeding 700,000 people in the south of Madagascar.
In parallel with this initiative, the WFP—to which the United Kingdom is a significant contributor—will be launching a new programme for early delivery of 27,000 tonnes of food. This programme, to be spread over eight months, is expected to feed a further 320,000 people. Finally, Her Majesty's Government have just approved a bilateral grant to the WFP of £25,000 for local purchase of maize and beans in Madagascar.