HC Deb 20 May 1985 vol 79 c337W
Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the total sum of food aid to Ethiopia and Sudan agreed at the Dublin Common Market summit; what period was covered by the pledges; and what amount has been delivered from Common Market surpluses to date.

Mr. Raison

The European Council in Dublin did not make allocations to individual countries. Since December 1984 the European Community and its member states have pledged 278,000 tonnes of cereals to Ethiopia and 185,000 tonnes to Sudan for delivery before the end of this year. About 144,000 tonnes have been delivered to Ethiopia so far this year, and about 93,000 tonnes, together with about £8 million worth of other food, to Sudan.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish a table showing the deliveries of cereals from the European Economic Community stockpiles to Ethiopia and Sudan, respectively, since the emergence of the famine crisis in these countries.

Mr. Raison

The figures are as follows:

Deliveries of cereals, tonnes Ethiopia (from January 1984) Sudan (from November 1984)
European Community 213,000 14,500
United Kingdom 26,500 50,000

Notes:

1. Smaller quantities of other foods have been provided to both countries by the Community.

2. No figures are available for deliveries by other member states of the Community in these periods, nor is it possible to distinguish between cereals purchased on the Community market and cereals drawn from stockpiles.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Common Market about the pace at which its surplus foodstuffs are being sent to Ethiopia and Sudan under the food aid programme; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Raison

The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and other Ministers have reviewed at frequent intervals with other member states and the European Commission the provision of food aid for Africa. We will be doing so again at the Development Council on 23 May.