30. Mr. SHIRLEY BENNasked the Prime Minister how the different gifts in kind, given by the British Dominions, have been and are being utilised?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELMy right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this, question.
In addition to valuable gifts such as oats, hay, meat, condensed milk, and other foods for the service of the Navy and the Army, gifts have also been received for the relief of the Belgians in Belgium which are being distributed through the organisation established by the American and Spanish Legations. Fruit and wine are being sent for the sick and wounded soldiers and sailors in this country, and some of the fruit has already been delivered to hospitals supported by voluntary contributions where the wounded are being received.
The greater part of the gifts have been allocated for the relief of distress. As examples, I may mention 1,000,000 sacks of flour given by the Dominion of Canada, 150,000 sacks from Ontario, and 50,000 from Manitoba, 4,000,000 lbs. of cheese from the Province of Quebec, 100,000 bushels of potatoes from New Brunswick, a gift of cheese from Prince Edward Island, canned salmon from British Columbia, and other gifts too numerous to recite in a Parliamentary reply, from associations, newspapers, traders, and farmers who have vied with one another in their desire to give practical testimony of the feeling they entertain for the Mother Country.
415 The distribution of these gifts is being gradually made by the Government Committee for the Prevention and Relief of Distress to the local representative committees in districts where any considerable degree of distress exists. Some are also being used for the assistance of the Belgian refugees who are being maintained in this country.
Further gifts in kind have been sent from Australia and elsewhere for distribution through other than official channels. The persons to whom they have been consigned have in all cases, I believe, been good enough to consult me as to their allocation. Gifts of money have also been very numerous, including sums of £20,000 each from the Province of Nova Scotia and from Ceylon. These sums have been contributed to the Prince of Wales' Fund.
It is proposed shortly to lay another Parliamentary Paper relating to these gifts in continuation of Cd. 7608. All the gifts in kind have been stored and handled by the Port and other authorities, by carriers and other private firms, free of charge in every case. I am sure that the House will desire to join in an expression of the country's thanks to the generous donors in the Dominions and Colonies of these numerous and valuable gifts, and to those in this country who have so kindly undertaken gratuitously their storage and distribution.
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANCan the right hon. Gentleman say how long the flour is likely to last in good condition, and are precautions being taken to use it?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe flour is now being gradually distributed. The condition of the flour is being watched by the Local Government Board food inspectors.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEHave any gifts been declined?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELNot so far as I know.