§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial and other support he gives to the international rescue operation dealing with the immediate aftermath of natural catastrophes; and if he will meet their representatives to discuss a programme to assist them.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe International Rescue Corps is an independent organisation which has not sought financial assistance since September 1989 when ODA funds were provided to move an IRC team to Montserrat after Hurricane Hugo. ODA regularly offers assistance through our embassies in clarifying IRC's status and bona fides when it is aware IRC services are being offered to an overseas country. ODA and IRC officials are in frequent contact.