§ 10. Colonel YATEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it has been decided to increase the rationing of the Belgian Relief Commission; and, if so, whether this has been done on the recommendation of the members of the War Trade Committee or of whom?
§ Sir E. GREYThe rations allowed to the Belgian Relief Commission have recently been increased. The present ration of bacon and lard for Belgium—the most serious item—now stands at the figure originally recommended by the War Trade Advisory Committee after full investigation at the end of 1915. A further investigation by the Committee led them, two months later, to recommend a lower ration both in this and other articles. But in response to most urgent representations from the Belgian Government and in consideration of new measures adopted by the Relief Commission for the safeguarding both of their own imports and of the native food supplies of the country, we felt obliged recently to revert to the previous ration.
§ Colonel YATEDid the members of the War Trade Committee recommend this, or did they not?
§ Sir E. GREYI must ask for notice of that. I have given the full information I have. I understood from the answer given to me that it has all been done on the recommendation of the War Trades Inquiry Committee, but I cannot be quite sure on that last point.
§ Colonel YATEWill the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries?
§ Sir E. GREYOh, yes, certainly.