§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Minister of Overseas Development if the Common Market emergency aid to Honduras is confined to the 90 tonnes of powdered milk already approved; and what British help is envisaged apart from this.
§ Mrs. HartMy Disaster Unit, in conjunction with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence, arranged first-aid relief through the authorities in Belize. Food and medical supplies were sent from Army stores. Three helicopters, one Hercules aircraft and an engineering team with powered boats, plus a medical team, were sent from Belize to Honduras to assist in the rescue programme and the distribution of vital supplies. In addition, two Royal Navy survey ships with food, water and medical supplies and a doctor were sent to assist in getting supplies to the Bay Islands which were cut off. We have also responded to a Honduran request for 18 tons of DDT and have offered to provide approximately 800 ft. of Bailey bridging to repair damaged communications; and the European Economic Commission has agreed payment of 300,000 units of account—approximately £125,000—to the United Nations Disaster Relief Organisation. At a later stage, proposals for normal food aid will be considered by the Commission.