HC Deb 13 February 1989 vol 147 c9W
75. Mr. Alex Carlile

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's contribution to the combating of desertification in north Africa.

Mr. Chris Patten

We contribute to the fight against desertification through our participation in the work of a number of multilateral institutions. We also support measures to combat desertification in countries bordering the Sahara through our contribution to the European development fund; our share of projects that have been approved so far under the sixth EDF amounts to some £24 million.