§ Mr. Iain Millsasked the Lord Privy Seal if he is satisfied with his Department's role in existing disaster relief agencies, in particular the United Nations Disaster Relief Organisation, the European Economic Community emergency relief officer, the United Kingdom Disasters Emergency Committee and the disaster unit in his Department so far as the speed of reaction to disasters overseas is concerned.
§ Mr. Neil MartenI am confident that the disaster unit of the Overseas Development Administration, which cooperates closely with the United Kingdom disasters emergency committee, reacts very speedily to disasters overseas, as soon as the needs are known. We exchange information with the office of the United Nations disaster relief coordinator and with the European Community on action taken by donors in response to disasters. We shall participate in the debate on the recent evaluation of UNDRO, when the relevant document is circulated in the United Nations.
§ Mr. Iain Millsasked the Lord Privy Seal if he is satisfied that Her Majesty's Government have taken sufficient steps to ensure that bureaucratic and political restrictions are overcome in cases of extreme emergency, such as the recent problems in North-East Uganda, in I he organisation of relief aid and the administration of food aid supply where the United Kingdom is involved.
§ Mr. Neil MartenYes, in so far as this lies within our Power.