§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he is making to the Ethiopian Government concerning the cutting off of the joint relief partnership supply route from Assab port to famine areas of northern Ethiopia since 17 March.
§ Mrs. ChalkerWe made representations with the donor group in Addis Ababa on 22 March. On 25 March the Ethiopian Government announced that the southern line would reopen. We understand that convoys began moving again on 26 March, when 40 trucks left Dessie to travel north.
§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the total amount of United Kingdom aid for cross-border relief into Tigray and Eritrea given since September 1990 to date; and what plans he has to give further assistance for cross-border operations.
§ Mrs. ChalkerAbout £6.3 million. We shall continue to provide humanitarian relief aid to Eritrea and Tigray using the most effective means available, including cross-border where appropriate.