§ Mr. Boscawenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what help the Government have offered the Government of Nepal in alleviating famine conditions in some areas.
§ Mr. Anthony Roylepursuant to his reply, [OFFICIAL REPORT, 29th January, Vol. 849, c. 936–7] provided the following information:
I am glad to say that Her Majesty's Government have now agreed that Royal Air Force aircraft may undertake an airlift of food grains to certain hill areas of Nepal. The airlift will begin as soon as arrangements for fuel supplies and other support facilities can be made with the Nepalese Government, and will last up to two months. Subject to the availability of fuel in sufficient quantity, four Hercules transports and one Puma helicopter, with about 270 RAF and Army personnel will be deployed for the operation.