§ 43. Mr. PaiceTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what prospects Her Majesty's Government see of relieving the threat of famine in Sudan and Ethiopia.
§ 44. Mr. John MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what prospects the Overseas Development Administration sees of relieving the threat of famine for the people of Sudan and Ethiopia.
§ Mrs. ChalkerAs I told the House on 19 December, effective relief machinery is in place in Ethiopia. Massawa port is open. Government and rebel groups are co-operating on relief. If this holds and the international community gives generously, we may be able to avert the worst effects of famine.
The outlook for Sudan is very much worse. Given the scale of the crisis and the lack of Sudanese Government co-operation, it is hard to help, but we shall do what we can to alleviate hardship.