Norman Lamb says, "Why not use Mildenhall to fly Norfolk's tsunami appeal donations to South Asia?"

4.29.20pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 5th Jan 2005

Norman Lamb has today asked the Ministry of Defence and the American Embassy to open up Mildenhall Air Base to help the humanitarian crisis in South Asia. Mr Lamb has suggested that one of the American transport planes flying in and out of Mildenhall regularly could deliver Norfolk's donations directly to South Asia where they are so desperately needed.

Norman Lamb said this afternoon, "It's been suggested that the quickest and most efficient way to get the donations from Norfolk to South Asia is to put one of the planes visiting Mildenhall Air Base to humanitarian use. C-5 Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster transport planes regularly visit Mildenhall; using one of these planes would make a real difference to the speed the donated goods reach those who need them."

"I have today written to both the American Ambassador in London and Geoff Hoon, Secretary of State for Defence, asking if one of the US transport planes visiting Mildenhall can be utilised to take Norfolk's contribution to the tsunami emergency appeal directly to South Asia."

Mr Lamb, who assisted with the collection of donated goods in Sheringham this morning, says the response from North Norfolk has been phenomenal.

"North Norfolk residents have demonstrated amazing generosity in response to the tsunami emergency appeal and donated a vast quantity of blankets, clothes, soap and other useful items to help those who have been left destitute in South Asia," says Mr Lamb.

"North Norfolk is not an especially wealthy area yet the local response to the crisis in South Asia has been overwhelming." Mr Lamb pointed out.

"I really hope we can boost this local relief effort further getting the goods as quickly as possible from Norfolk to those people in South Asia whose lives have been devastated by this appalling natural disaster," he added.