---

Column 728

HOUSE OF COMMONS

New Parliamentary Building

Mr. Ray Powell : To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if he has considered an application for an exhibition relating to the modified plans and designs of the phase 2 new parliamentary building to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

Mr. Michael J. Martin : I understand that, under procedures agreed by the Administration Committee, arrangements have been made for the exhibition to be held from Monday 18 January to Friday 22 January.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

Somalia

Mr. Mullin : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that British aid to Somalia is reaching the people for whom it is intended.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd : In order to help ensure that British humanitarian assistance to Somalia reaches those in need, it is channelled through United Nations agencies, British and international non-governmental organisations. Its delivery has been severely constrained by lack of security. We have strongly supported United Nations efforts to improve the security situation through the deployment of United Nations arrmed guards. We also try to ensure that practical arrangements made for delivery of aid to Somalia take full account of local security situations.

We shall take full advantage of any new security arrangements agreed by the United Nations to help the delivery of humanitarian aid.

---