§ Mr. Altonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken to ensure that the emergency relief to be provided from the overseas aid budget for Ethiopia will be devoted purely to the use of Ethiopian civilians and will not become available for the use of the Ethiopian armed forces.
§ Mr. RaisonNo special steps are being taken. I have every confidence that the Save the Children fund will retain full control of the use of the £100,575 we have provided for them for a supplementary feeding centre at Korem.
§ Mr. Altonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has received any communications relating to the diversion of European aid to Ethiopia for the use of the Ethiopian armed forces; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RaisonI am aware of allegations that European Community food aid has been diverted to the Ethiopian armed forces. The Commission delegate in Ethiopia has extensive facilities for monitoring the distribution and use of food and development aid from the Community, and has on several occasions looked carefully into allegations of misuse, but has never found evidence to confirm such allegations. The British ambassador and his staff also travel extensively in the country and have not so far come across any evidence of abuse.