§ Mr. Wilkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will discuss with Royal Air Force commanders means to ensure that supplies dropped from C130 Hercules aircraft of RAF Support Command in Eritrea and Tigŕe reach the local population and do not fall into the hands of the Ethiopian army.
§ Mr. StanleyWe agreed that the RAF should air-drop supplies, initially in Shewa province, on the clear understanding that food would go only to those in need. The RAF was invited by the Ethiopians to observe distribution arrangements on the ground and two members of the detachment were present at the dropping zone when a trial was conducted on 26 January. The RAF remains fully prepared to assist with air-dropping, but the Ethiopian authorities have not so far agreed that airdropping can commence on a regular basis.