§ 46. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the lack of the necessities of life in Vienna and other towns in Austria; whether he is also aware of the statements made by the British Food Minister that the stocks of frozen meat in this country are so great that the importation of Irish fat cattle has had to be prohibited; whether he is also aware that coal is being sent to Vienna from America at very considerable expense; while there are coal mines in Czecho-Slovakia within 100 miles of that city; whether His Majesty's Government are attempting in any way to remedy this state of affairs; and, if so, how?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWYes, Sir. I am fully aware of the seriousness of the situation to which the hon. and gallant Member calls attention. So far as I know, no coal is being sent to Vienna from America; but, in view of the situation, His Majesty's Government are using every means in their power to stimulate the delivery of coal from Czecho-Slovakia, to Austria.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYMay I ask whether the cessation of coal from America is due to the strike, and therefore temporary, but, if permanent, whether we are doing anything to send coal?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI do not think it would be possible for us to send coal. As I have said, we are doing everything in our power to get coal sent from the adjacent countries where it is, to some extent, available.
§ Colonel ASHLEYIs the Government still pressing the United States Government to extend credits to Central Europe in view of the shortage of food and coal?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe position is exactly the same as when I last answered a question on the subject. The Government fully realise, and have made plain to the Government of the United States, that without financial assistance from the United States it is impossible that adequate provision can be made.