§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make it his policy to request the United Nations Secretary General to re-establish the office for emergency operations in Africa.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe office for emergency operations in Africa provided excellent inter-agency co-ordination from 1984 to 1986. Since its experiences are reflected in current United Nations working practices, re-establishing it now does not automatically guarantee improved co-ordination. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and the German Foreign Minister launched a joint initiative on 9 June to improve and support the way the United Nations responds to humanitarian disasters and emergencies including those in Africa.