§ 4. Mr. PRINGLEasked, in view of the admitted facts that the importation of foodstuffs by the Neutral Relief Commission makes Belgian products available for the Germans, and the distribution of these foodstuffs is being used as a means of obtaining forced labour in Belgium, what action the Government propose to take?
§ Lord R. CECILI cannot agree that the facts alleged are admitted, and there is consequently no ground for suggesting that His Majesty's Government should change their policy.
§ Mr. PRINGLEHas the Government not admitted that the distribution of foodstuffs has been used as a means of obtaining forced labour, and has Dot the Foreign Office issued a communication to the Press to that effect?
§ Lord R. CECILI do not think so. If the hon. Member reads the communication I do not think he will come to the conclusion that it means that.
§ 5. Mr. PRINGLEasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he can state, for the period from 31st October, 1915 to 30th June, 1916, the amount distributed by the Neutral Relief Commission in Belgium by way of separation allowances and other similar charges on behalf of the Belgian Government, the value of foodstuffs, etc., distributed by way of relief to the civil population, and the value of foodstuffs sold by the Commission; how payment is made for the purposes of the exchange in respect of these sales; and whether and, if so, to what extent goods are exported from Belgium as payment for the goods sold by the Commission?
§ Lord R. CECILThe total expenditure of the Relief Commission in Belgium from the 31st October, 1915, to the 31st May, 1916, was £6,471,399 12s. 3d. As regards values of foodstuffs, I am having copies of all the Relief Commission's published Reports placed in the Library of the House, where they can be consulted for such information. For the most part, the Commission does not operate exchanges in respect of money received by it in Belgium from the sale of foodstuffs, but it does do so to a comparatively small extent by receiving outside Belgium moneys for transfer to persons in Belgium, the moneys thus received being devoted to the purchase of foodstuffs outside Belgium, while equivalent payments are made in Belgium out of the proceeds of the sale of foodstuffs to the persons to whom the money was to be transferred. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative, with the possible exception of small amounts of articles, such as lace, which the Commission has occasionally been able to export and sell for the benefit of its funds.
§ Mr. PRINGLECan the Noble Lord say the exact amount of the proceeds of the sale of foodstuffs in Belgium?
§ Lord R. CECILNo, Sir; I cannot answer that without notice.
§ Mr. PRINGLEBut it is on the Paper.
§ Lord R. CECILI am very sorry I did not notice the inquiry as to the specific amount.