§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current use of Hercules transport planes for the transport of grain to the Sahel; and if it is his intention to allow their use for the remainder of 1985.
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§ Mr. RaisonRoyal Air Force Hercules are distributing grain and other supplies in Ethiopia. The airlift in Ethiopia will continue and we will review the position again before the end of March. We do not think the direct provision of air transport would be the best use of our resources in most other countries in the Sahel, where we look to the relevant international agencies, to which we contribute, to organise it, if appropriate. Air transport is expensive but is justified when supplies are carried to areas that are otherwise inaccessible.