HC Deb 09 January 2002 vol 377 cc846-7W
Mr. Hawkins

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her policy is on the future delivery of United Kingdom humanitarian aid in Sierra Leone; and if she will make a statement. [25412]

Hilary Benn

We stand ready to respond quickly to new humanitarian requests from the UN and other agencies as they emerge. We have committed £12 million for humanitarian activities in Sierra Leone and neighbouring countries over the last 18 months.

Mr. Hawkins

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her assessment is of links between Sierra Leone and Liberia and the effect of these on the delivery of United Kingdom humanitarian aid; and if she will make a statement. [25410]

Hilary Benn

Formal diplomatic links between Sierra Leone and Liberia have improved of late, and both countries remain members of the Mano River Union. The state of the relationship does not affect our ability to deliver humanitarian assistance to either county. We have committed £12 million to humanitarian activities in Sierra Leone and other countries in the region over the last 18 months.

Mr. Hawkins

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what level of representation by her Department in Sierra Leone she considers appropriate. [25409]

Hilary Benn

DFID's day-to-day representational interests in Sierra Leone are looked after by the British high commission in Freetown, which is headed by a senior-grade high commissioner drawn from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The Development Section is headed by an experienced DFID officer. We consider this level of representation to be appropriate for our needs.

Mr. Hawkins

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will respond to the request from the Army to have a senior official from her Department at the same senior decision-making level as the Army officers in the field in Sierra Leone. [25414]

Hilary Benn

We have received no formal request. Officials discussed the proposal informally with UK military representatives in Sierra Leone last year, but concluded that there was not a strong case for having a dedicated senior grade DFID person posted to Sierra Leone.