§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Minister of Overseas Development (1) if the Government will take emergency action to provide medical aid to the Sahel region of West Africa before the onset of the rains;
(2) what steps she is taking to improve liaison between her Department and United Nations Agencies such as the Food and Agriculture Organisation to deal with the famine situation in the Sahel region of West Africa;
(3) if she is satisfied with liaison arrangements between her Department and appropriate Ministries within other EEC countries which may be dealing with food and medical aid to the Sahel region of West Africa;
(4) what contribution the United Kingdom is making towards the provision of emergency transport to move food to the famine areas of the Sahel region of West Africa;
(5) if she is satisfied with the liaison between her Department and voluntary bodies in the United Kingdom concerning the relief of famine in the Sahel region of West Africa.
§ Mrs. HartBritish assistance to the Sahel area is expected to be over £5 million this year. Most of it is being channelled through international organisations, particularly the European Economic Community. My hon. Friend will have seen my reply of yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Brigg and336W Scunthorpe (Mr. Ellis) on the subject of assistance with vehicles, to which I have nothing to add at present. My officials are in close touch with the international organisations including FAO and the European Commission, and also with voluntary organisations in this country.
I have been deeply concerned by some of the reports from the Sahel and, as I have already announced, my Parliamentary Secretary will be visiting the area immediately after Easter to assess the relief operation at first hand.