HC Deb 12 November 1984 vol 67 cc75-6W
82. Mr. Robert B. Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is satisfied with the level of transport support he has been able to provide for the assistance of famine relief in Ethiopia.

Figures for aid given directly to the Ethiopian Government
£'000
1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983
Food Aid 1,187 1,921 1,091 22 5,194 2,510
Other financial aid* 1,106 1,063 149 2 48 508
Technical Cooperation 473 679 429 142 58 19
Total 2,766 2,763 1,669 166 5,300 3,037
* Comprises disaster relief and development loans and grants.

Mr. Geoffrey Robinson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he intends to allocate grain from United Kingdom sources to meet Ethiopia's food requirements for 1985.

Mr. Raison

We will certainly contribute from the 1985 bilateral food aid programme: and I expect the 1985 European Community food aid programme, which is much larger, to make a major contribution also.

Mr. Maclean

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Ethiopian authorities about their threat to move the Royal Air Force famine relief operation out of Addis Ababa.

Mr. Raison

No formal request from the Ethiopian authorities for such a move has been received.

Mr. Maclean

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made at the United Nations to ensure that the Government of Ethiopia do not hinder the airlift of food and medical aid to that country.

Mr. Raison

None. But my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has been in touch with Mr. Perez de Cuellar on the need for overall co-ordination of the relief effort, and the Secretary-General has now appointed Dr. Jansson for this purpose.

Mr. Raison

Yes, so fat, but I expect further needs for spares and perhaps more vehicles to emerge, as well as for British equipment to enhance the handling capacity of the docks.

87. Mr. Waller

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the provision of emergency aid to Ethiopia.

89. Mr. Marlow

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on overseas aid to Ethiopia.

Mr. Raison

I refer my hon. Friends to the comments I made in the debate on Foreign Affairs on 9 November and to my earlier replies today.

88. Mr. Best

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will state the amount of overseas aid given to Ethiopia for each of the last six years; and if he will specify the form of such aid.

Mr. Raison

Following are the details: