asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Minister for Overseas Development last paid an official visit to Ethiopia, Somalia and the Sudan, respectively.

I have not been able to visit these countries since June 1970.

Bearing in mind that English is widely spoken throughout these territories, will the right hon. Gentleman accept that this is one of the most delicate and sensitive parts of Africa, particularly if and when the Suez Canal is opened? Will he tell the House what aid, particularly educational, is being given? May I ask whether, when he is zigzagging about between Zambia and Egypt, he will bend his steps, some time, to visit Mogadishu, where I am sure the old Somaliland connection is still present and he will receive a warm welcome?

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for giving an impetus to my wish to visit two of the countries that he has mentioned. I have no plans to visit Somalia at present but I hope that it may be possible to visit the Sudan and Ethiopia.

Does the reported official Government-sponsored visit of a Punch and Judy show to Arab States come under my right hon. Friend's Department?

I am afraid not.