HC Deb 09 June 1992 vol 209 cc97-8W
Mrs. Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what extra provisions Her Majesty's Government have made for drought relief in Malawi.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Most recently we have allocated £4 million for drought-related activities in Malawi, these funds being derived from those parts of the regular aid which were suspended last month because of Malawi's human rights record. We are considering urgently with the relevant relief agencies and the Malawi authorities how best these funds might be used. This latest allocation is in addition to the 5,000 tonnes of cereals provided earlier this year for Mozambican refugees in Malawi; and the £1 million contribution to the World Food Programme's targeted feeding programme for vulnerable groups among Malawi's own population.

Mrs. Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement outlining Her Majesty's Government's current policy on bilateral aid to Malawi.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I refer the hon. Lady to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Leeds, West (Mr. Battle) on 20 May, at column166.

Mrs. Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will provide details of measures being taken by Her Majesty's Government to monitor the distribution of humanitarian aid in Malawi.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

In accordance with our normal practice, primary responsibility for monitoring humanitarian aid provided by Her Majesty's Government will rest with those international organisations and nongovernmental organisations through which the aid is channelled. Reports on the utilisation of multilateral contributions through the World Food Programme will be made to its governing body, the Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes, in due course.