§ Mr. BiffenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the latest assessment of the consequences of the drought in southern Africa; and what plans there are to provide further unilateral and multilateral British aid.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe most comprehensive assessment of the consequences of the drought is to be found in the appeal document just issued jointly by the United Nations and the Southern African development co-ordination conference—SADCC. This indicates that up to 130 million people may be affected, with cereal production at less than half the normal level and an import requirement of some 11.6 million tonnes. We have already pledged some £30 million in additional drought-related assistance and will continue to play a full and active part in the international response to the drought, including attendance by my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development at a UN/SADCC conference in Geneva on 1 and 2 June.