§ 84. Mr. CranTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to help avert famine in Ethiopia.
§ Mr. Chris PattenSo far this year we have committed £10.74 million from the bilateral programme for famine relief in Ethiopia, including an offer of £2 million, which I announced on 17 November, to help the Office of the United Nations disaster relief co-ordinator mount an airlift to transport food to those in most urgent need. In addition we are contributing some £12.5 million as our share of the cost of food and other emergency relief provided by the European Community.
§ 85. Mr. Tony LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has held with development agencies in Britain about the situation in Ethiopia.
§ Mr. Chris PattenMy officials are in regular contact with British voluntary organisations concerned with Ethiopia. A substantial proportion of our relief assistance to Ethiopia is channelled through such organisations, including pledges so far this year of 20,000 tonnes of emergency food aid and support for the joint OXFAM/ Save the Children fund relief trucking fleet.