§ Sir David SteelTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response his Department made to the International Committee of the Red Cross appeal in July for food aid for targeted groups in need in Albania; whether that response was made bilaterally or through the EC; what total response was made by the EC; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd[holding answer 20 November 1992]: We are aware of the appeal that was made in September and are in touch with the British Red Cross about it. It is sending a delegation to Albania next week to assess how the United Kingdom can best respond to the appeal and we expect it to submit a proposal on its return. We have already provided £1.3 million of bilateral humanitarian assistance to Albania. The bulk of our contribution is through the EC which has already this year provided 80 mecu of food aid direct to the Albanian Government, and agreed a further tranche of 40 mecu in October.