§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Prime Minister if she will make it the policy of Her Majesty's Government to increase the funds they provide for famine relief in Ethiopia by a sum equivalent to the estimated value added tax revenue received from sales of the record recently released by Band Aid in support of the famine victims; and if she will make a statement.
405W
§ The Prime MinisterI welcome the initiative shown by those involved in the production of this record. I believe, however, that the Government have already responded quickly and effectively to the famine in Ethiopia.
In addition to the £15 million of aid given to Ethiopia over the past two years, £11.4 million is being given for famine relief. Moreover, the Overseas Development Administration has made it clear that it will continue to respond sympathetically to appeals for the drought-stricken countries, including Ethiopia.