§ Mr. Litterickasked the Minister of Overseas Development what requests for assistance have been received by Her Majesty's Government to alleviate famine conditions now prevailing in Laos; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mrs. HartThe Laotian Government have requested us and other international donors to assist as a result of a severe drought which has reduced the 1977 rice crop in the central and southern provinces 147W to only a quarter of the normal. The Laotian Government and the United Nations have estimated the immediate needs at 113,000 tonnes of cereals, nearly all rice. More than 50,000 tonnes have already been promised and further contributions are under discussion.
Because of the difficulty of operating in Laos we prefer to give through international organisations where possible. We are providing 6,000 tonnes of wheat flour to form one-third of a consignment being sent by the World Food Programme; and we are paying our share of a consignment from the European Commission, agreed before the appeal, and consisting of the equivalent of 5,000 tonnes in the form of rice to be sent through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. We are now expecting a proposal from the European Commission for a further contribution towards the remaining deficit, which we intend to support.