§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what contributions have been made by the United Kingdom through the Club du Sahel towards increased food production in the Sahel region; and what has been the annual increase or decline in food production in that area in each year since 1975;
(2) what contributions have been made by the United Kingdom through the Club du Sahel for reafforestation programmes in the Sahel region in each of the years since 1975;
(3) what contributions have been made by the United Kingdom through the Club du Sahel for road or other communications in the Sahel region in each year since 1975;
(4) what contributions have been made by the United Kingdom through the Club du Sahel for agricultural development in the Sahel region in each year since 1975.
§ Mr. RifkindThe United Kingdom has made no contribution through the Club du Sahel. So far as food production is concerned, accurate annual figures are not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if any special action is being taken by the United Kingdom to alleviate the problems caused by the severe drought in Ethiopia.
§ Mr. RifkindA grant of £100,575 has been made to the Save the Children Fund to help with setting up a supplementary feeding centre for children under five at Korem in North Wollo. Some 27,000 tonnes of food aid—worth about £3.3 million—from Britain's 1982 allocation of 50,000 tonnes to the world food programme are being sent to Ethiopia.
We have also in the past year made contributions to international relief agencies caring for refugees—many from Ethiopia—in countries neighbouring Ethiopia, but it is not possible to quantify the extent to which this action constitutes the alleviation of drought problems.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action is being taken by international agencies of which the United Kingdom is a member to alleviate the consequences of the severe drought in Ethiopia.
§ Mr. RifkindThe International Committee of the Red Cross is now drawing up its programme for 1983 which is expected to include provision for drought relief in Ethiopia. The United Nations High Commission for498W Refugees has a regular budget provision for Ethiopia for 1983 of $1,460.000 and a special appeal for Ethiopia is likely. Further inquiries are being made, and I shall write to the hon. Member.