§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contracts have been made with his Department by the administration in northern Somalia, operating under the title of the Republic of Somaliland; and what requests for aid or recognition his Department has received.
§ Mrs. ChalkerMy officials maintain regular contact with the Somalia National Movement, the main party in northern Somalia. We have made clear that whilst we do not recognise the purported secession, humanitarian aid will continue. In response to requests from voluntary and multilateral agencies we have this year provided bilateral humanitarian aid worth £3.47 million to Somalia, including £1.46 million for the north.
§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make it his policy to have a diplomatic presence or an informal presence in northern Somalia in order to(a) maintain contact with the de-facto administration, (b) assist the families and dependants of members of the Somali community in the United Kingdom and (c) assist non-governmental organisations in the delivery of humanitarian aid.
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§ Mrs. ChalkerWe have no plans to establish any form of resident representation in northern Somalia. We maintain informal contacts with representatives of northern Somalia.