§ Mr. Ioan L. Evansasked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what emergency action is planned to give aid to those people threatened by famine in Bechuanaland and Basutoland.
§ Mrs. WhiteThe Bechuanaland emergency food programme is being expanded to cover over 300,000 people this year and a request for further supplies has been made to the World Food Programme. The British Government have provided£350,000 for the relief programme during the present financial year, as well as approving expenditure of£250,000 from colonial development and welfare funds on measures designed to mitigate the effects of the famine. The voluntary agencies, including Oxfam, War on Want and the Red Cross are also helping generously.
206WThe Basutoland Government have now advised that an emergency feeding programme will be required for 160,000 persons from April for at least 6 months. The World Food Programme is being approached for assistance over this. We are also in communication with the Basutoland Government over the assistance they will need from H.M.G. towards the purchase, transport and storage of seed and fertiliser, food distribution and the provision of loans for farmers and traders.