§ Mr. AmosTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what food aid has been sent to the Soviet Union by the United Kingdom in the past month; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will make it his policy to distribute the EEC food surpluses as urgent aid to the Soviet Union; and if he will make a statement;
(3) if he will meet the Soviet Union Foreign Minister to discuss what assistance he can give to solve Russia's food shortages; and if he will make a statement;
(4) if he will make it his policy to launch a food aid package to the Soviet Union; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggWe are concerned about the shortage of many foodstuffs in Soviet shops, and have discussed the problem with the Soviet authorities and with our European partners. There will be further discussion of Soviet economic problems at the European Council in Rome on 13 and 14 December. Where a real need exists and distribution can be assured, the European Community may be able to help with food aid from intervention stocks. Following a good harvest in 1990, the shortages in certain Soviet cities are chiefly the result of distribution difficulties. We would like to help to tackle the underlying problems through technical assistance. Food distribution is a top priority for our know-how fund. A consortium of British 281W companies is already conducting a survey of the food distribution system around Kiev which may have implications for other parts of the Soviet Union.