§ Mr. Pikeasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give his most recent assessment of the priority objectives for food aid and its distribution in the drought-affected countries of Sub-Saharan Africa.
§ Mr. RaisonWe hold firmly to the view that famine relief should be given priority in determining the use of food aid.
Following abundant rains in many parts of Africa last year the need for emergency food aid is greatly reduced, but there is still a number of countries needing assistance. Together with other donors we are concentrating our bilateral food aid on those that remain most seriously affected, and on ensuring that it is distributed to the people who need it.