Written question asked by Mark Simmonds (Conservative) on Monday, 28 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 6 April 2005. It was answered by Chris Mullin (Labour) on Wednesday, 6 April 2005 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the likely effects of fuel shortages in Sierra Leone on the security situation.

Answer: Mr. Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the likely effects of fuel shortages in Sierra Leone on the security situation. [224483] Mr. Mullin: The continued fuel shortage in Sierra Leone is worrying. On its own, we do not judge it to be a major security threat. But in the longer term we are concerned about its potential impact on the daily lives of ordinary Sierra Leoneans, many of whom are already severely disadvantaged.

Secondary information