§ Mr. HunterTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to, or received from, authorities and agencies in Mozambique in respect of the diversion of aid.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe only reported losses of British bilateral aid have been pilferage of food aid. We estimate losses of about 2 per cent. in 1993. All out bilateral food aid in 1993 was provided through British nongovernmental organisations—NGOs—who employ contractors, paid on performance, to store and transport the food to specific destinations. Distribution to beneficiaries is supervised by NGOs. Where there are losses in storage and transit, we expect the NGOs to recoup the losses from the contractors concerned.
Regular co-ordination meetings are held between the Government of Mozambique, donors, and implementing agencies to monitor the distribution of emergency relief and food aid. Where specific cases of diversion of United Kingdom bilateral food aid has been suspected, they have been taken up by the ambassador with Ministers in the Government of Mozambique and provincial governors. In such cases assurances have been received that action is being taken to prevent further instances.