§ Lord Molloyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will make representations to the International Monetary Fund and other international organisations about the worsening conditions in many African countries and the plight of individual Africans, and what other steps they are taking to help ease starvation and suffering in Africa.
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Chalker of Wallasey)Africa is a priority for British aid. In 1992–93 we disbursed bilaterally £million in grant aid, excluding CDC investments, to help alleviate starvation and support sustainable economic and social development activities designed to reduce poverty in African countries.
Much of the finance channelled through multilateral agencies also goes to Africa; this includes the Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility (ESAF) managed by the IMF, which provides highly concessional loans in support of economic reform programmes in poor countries. We regularly discuss Africa's prospects and aid needs with other bilateral and multilateral donors, including the International Monetary Fund.