§ Mr. RiddickTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the latest situation on the famine in Ethiopia; and what steps the Government have taken to alleviate starvation.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe international relief effort continues to be hampered by the civil conflict in northern Ethiopia. The most pressing need is to secure free access for relief supplies across the battle lines. We have been active in recent diplomatic efforts to try and secure this. It was506W reported on 18 January that agreement had been reached between the Ethiopian Government and the joint relief partnership of local church organisations on the necessary arrangements, but further details are awaited. We are meanwhile continuing to provide food and other emergency aid via British non-governmental organisations. The total value of our food and emergency aid in 1989 was nearly £18.5 million, including our share of the cost of assistance provided by the European Community.