§ Mr. O'HaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action Her Majesty's Government are taking for the provision of extra resources to help the recovery of agriculture in the drought-affected areas of southern Africa; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggSince the beginning of 1992 we have committed over £60 million including our share of EC food aid, to help the victims of the drought in southern Africa. We are supporting activities in the region to assist recovery of agriculture. These include agricultural research, including local irrigation, livestock, veterinary and pest control schemes in Zimbabwe, seeds and tools 89W programmes in Mozambique and Malawi, and a seed multiplication project in Namibia. We are also funding a project in Zambia which, through checking and treatment of imported maize consignments, should help reduce the risk of infestation to future local crops by pests such as the larger grain borer. We shall continue to help, in concert with our partners in the donor community.
§ Mr. O'HaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support Her Majesty's Government are giving to the United Nations/Southern Africa Development Co-ordination conference appeal for US$854 million; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggHer Majesty's Government have so far committed more than £51 million of bilateral aid in response to the drought in southern Africa. This is in addition to an estimated £11.3 million of food aid given by Britain through the EC special food aid programme. The Government will continue to monitor the situation closely in consultation with our EC partners and other donors.
§ Mr. O'HaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans Her Majesty's Government have to enlarge the social funds to aid the poorest in the drought-affected areas of southern Africa to cope with economic change, and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggWe have already committed over £51 million of bilateral aid to help drought victims in southern Africa in the form of balance of payments aid, food and support for non-governmental organisation programmes. More widely we are working closely with the IMF and World bank and both institutions are being flexible in modifying economic reform programme targets to help protect the populations of countries from the worst effects of the drought. Substantial extra multilateral resources have been made available to help cope with present difficulties.