§ Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for Defence if any requests have been received for the use of RAF aeroplanes to deliver food to relieve the suffering in Ethiopia.
§ Mr. JohnThe only request for use of RAF aeroplanes received so far this year is to assist in flying out a number of ex-Service trucks which are required for food distribution. In response to this 377W request, four Army trucks and a quantity of food supplies for voluntary workers engaged in famine relief were flown out to Ethiopia in RAF Hercules aircraft earlier this month, the extra costs of the flights being met from the overseas aid programme. In addition, four RAF and two further Army trucks will shortly be supplied for the same purpose. The possibility of further Service trucks being released for use in Ethiopia is being considered.