Sir Alastair Goodlad: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much her Department expects to spend onbilateral emergency assistance in (a) 1997-98 and (b) 1998-99 and in respect of how many countries this expenditure will beincurred. [34976]Clare Short: In 1997-98 we estimate that expenditure on bilateral emergency aid will be around £65 million. Over 60 countries havereceived assistance. Provision for 1998-99 is currently being considered within the Department's resource allocation round.Details of bilateral emergency aid are published each year in the British Aid Statistics. The next issue, which will include finalexpenditure figures for 1997-98, is due for publication in December 1998. Copies will be made available to both libraries of theHouse.