§ 62. Mr. Prenticeasked the Lord Privy Seal what is the total value of the contribution pledged by the Government to the World Food Programme organised by the Food and Agriculture Organisation; what form this aid will take; and whether the Government intend to increase the scale of their contribution, in co-operation with other Governments, if experience indicates that the programme could operate successfully on a bigger scale.
§ Mr. P. ThomasHer Majesty's Government have pledged a total contribution of the equivalent of 5 million dollars over a period of three years. Half of our contribution will be in kind and half in cash for shipping services. As the World Food Programme only began operations on 1st January this year, it is too early to consider the expansion of the programme.