§ 48. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Prime Minister whether he has any official information of suffering in Vienna and other Austrian towns caused by the shortage of milk, and of similar suffering in Northern Italy; if so, what steps are being taken to relieve this suffering in Italy and Austria; and whether it is proposed to force the Austrians to hand over a number of milch cows to the Allies under the terms of Peace with Austria?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. So far as Vienna and other Austrian towns are concerned the prompt and sustained action of the Allied and Associated Governments in distributing milk, particularly to invalids, nursing mothers and young children, has gone far to relieve the suffering due to inadequate nutrition during the War. Some 6,000 tons of condensed milk have been sent to Austria, and it is understood that America will provide a further 2,500 tons during the present month. In Northern Italy the privation is less acute owing to the greater facilities for affording relief.