HC Deb 04 June 1992 vol 208 cc630-1W
Rev. Martin Smyth

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations or actions Her Majesty's Government have made or taken to stop the slaughter in the Sudan whether by terrorism or famine; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

We are concerned at the continuing loss of life in Sudan.

We have been one of the main bilateral food aid donors to Sudan, providing over £46 million worth of emergency humanitarian assistance—both bilaterally and through the EC's emergency aid programme—since the present food crisis began in November 1990. This figure includes 71,000 tonnes of bilateral food aid. We have pledged a further 27,000 tonnes in response to this year's appeal by the UN special emergency programme for the Horn of Africa. We have also played a leading part in efforts by the international donor community to ensure that relief is effectively provided throughout the country.

We have regularly made our views on terrorism plain to the Sudanese Government, particularly in connection with the release from prison last year of those responsible for the Acropole Hotel bombing in 1988, in which five Britons died. We have also stressed that we would regard it as unacceptable if Sudan were to provide support for terrorist groups.

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