Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy towards the new independent state of Eritrea.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydWe recognised Eritrea as an independent sovereign state on 14 May. We have had a warm relationship with the former provisional Government, now the Government of Eritrea, and have proposed entering into diplomatic relations. We have committed £12 million of humanitarian aid since January 1992 and also run a modest bilateral aid programme.