§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Prime Minister how much food has been contributed by the United Kingdom to relieve humanitarian suffering in the former Yugoslavia; what proportion of food held in intervention under EC rules in the United Kingdom has been supplied; what action he is taking to persuade EC Heads of Government to ensure proper supplies of food to the former Yugoslavia are made; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterThe United Kingdom has provided £92.5 million for humanitarian relief in the former Yugoslavia. Of this some £48 million is our share of EC expenditure, the bulk of which has been spent on food aid. This is provided in cash to UN agencies and NGOs, which then purchase supplies that meet their operational requirements. Some EC intervention stocks have been used in the past, but none from the UK.
The UK has also contributed some £44.5 million in direct bilateral action, focusing on the supply of transport, equipment and expertise to central Bosnia where needs are greatest. We were the first country to respond to the United Nations inter-agency appeal of 25 March, donating a further £15 million, of which £8.5 million was in immediate cash contributions. We maintain a regular dialogue with other EC member states and have urged them to follow suit.