HC Deb 19 November 1984 vol 68 cc20-1W
Mr. Randall

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will change his policy towards Ethiopia and make British funds available for its longer term development as well as for the present humanitarian needs.

Mr. Raison

We are helping long-term development through the waiving of aid debt and through a limited

programme of technical co-operation which concentrates on education. The Commonwealth Development Corporation and British voluntary agencies, through the joint funding scheme, can also operate in Ethiopia with support from the aid programme. British funds are also, of course, channelled through the European Community, which has a substantial development programme in Ethiopia.

Mr. Randall

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library copies of the assessments by (a) the ambassador and (b) the international and voluntary organisations on the needs and on the possibilities for effective assistance against famine in Ethiopia.

Mr. Raison

Communications with our ambassador are confidential, but we regularly receive and respond to his recommendations on what we ought to supply. It is for the organisations that the hon. Member has in mind to decide whether or not to publish their assessments.

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