HL Deb 19 March 1981 vol 418 cc955-6WA
Lord Brockway

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will take the initiative within the United Nations to provide assistance to Tanzania which, according to President Nyerere, is threatened with the death of thousands from hunger next year owing to adverse weather.

The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Lord Carrington)

Our information shows that Tanzania has so far secured nearly 90 per cent. of her cereals import requirements for the present harvest year to June 1981, over half of this through food aid. This compares with 58 per cent. average for the poorer countries as a whole, and 46 per cent. for the poorer African countries alone. FAO, the United Nations World Food Programme and the International Wheat Council are watching the situation here as elsewhere, and we shall take this analysis into account as we consider with our partners in the Community what further help might be provided.

House adjourned at fourteen minutes before nine o'clock.