45. Dr. MURRAYasked the Prime Minister whether any arrangement has yet been made with the Government of the United States for the relief of Central Europe?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWHis Majesty's Government are discussing the question with the United States Government. No arrangement as yet been made.
§ 46. Major McKENZIE WOODasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that there is food available for Austria at Trieste; whether wagons which were sent from Austria for its transport have been detained; and whether he can say how much of this food has actually reached Austria?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirma- 1613 tive. As regards the second part, I may say that the difficulties which have arisen are concerned primarily with the method of payment to Italy and the shipment of equivalent supplies to Italy. Everything possible is being done to remove the difficulties. Six thousand seven hundred tons of grain have actually been dispatched, and have probably by now reached Vienna.
§ Lieut. -Commander KENWORTHYAre we to understand from that answer that this food has been held up simply on a question of method of payment for it?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI am afraid that is so, and it is not an uncommon experience in human affairs.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYIt is very unfortunate.
§ 53. Mr. RAPERasked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the advisability of taking the initiative in calling a council of all European nations to deal energetically and promptly with the Central European famine area, with the object of preventing a catastrophe which will react on every country in Europe?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe representatives of the European nations are in daily touch on this subject in Paris, and the matter, as I have often informed the House, is receiving our constant and anxious attention. I do not think that an attempt to summon a special council to deal with the subject at the present time would improve the prospects of a solution.
§ Captain W. BENNAre the methods of payment standing in the way of the relief of these famine-stricken areas?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWOf course, my hon. and gallant Friend knows that is one of the difficulties, and that is the reason why we have been compelled to say that nothing can be done now without the assistance of the United States.
§ Mr. RAPERCannot at least steps be taken to prevent the patient from dying while the doctors disagree?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI have already said that our Government and, I think, the Allied Governments, realise the necessity of doing everything in their power, but my hon. Friend must see there is a limit to what can be done out of our resources.
57. Lieut.-Colonel A. MURRAYasked the Prime Minister what steps are being taken by the Allied and Associated Gov- 1614 ernments to avert an economic collapse in Austria and certain of the surrounding States?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe Allies have to consider this question from two aspects:
As to the first aspect, the resources of the Allies are limited, but everything possible is being done by direct supply of food, by organisation of railway transport, and by using the influence of the Allies to stimulate commercial exchanges between the new States. The second aspect is more difficult, and everything depends upon the possibility of organising international financial assistance on a large scale. This must in turn depend upon the assistance of the United States of America, and the question is being discussed with the United States Government.
- (1) The provision of immediate relief.
- (2) The economic reconstruction of the countries in question.
§ Lord ROBERT CECILCan the right hon. Gentleman tell us how long it will be before actual starvation takes place in large tracts of Bohemia?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWNo, Sir, I cannot; but I am afraid, as is the Noble Lord, that there is a real danger.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI have already said, in answer to other questions, that we fully realise the position, but does my hon. and gallant Friend suggest that this House, this Government, this country, is to undertake to supply all who need?
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKIs it possible to summon a special conference of the responsible statesmen of the smaller nationalities surrounding Austria with a view to economic exchange and the sale of goods?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWYes, Sir; the answer I read a moment ago states that by our wish, and that of our Allies, we are doing everything in our power to secure that.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWOf course, but I have not yet heard of any satisfactory suggestion for putting an end to it.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYMake peace!
§ Lord R. CECILasked whether the Government will communicate to the House, by laying Papers or otherwise, information as to the economic situation in any of the countries of Central Europe?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWHis Majesty's Government consider that it would be desirable that the House and the country should have the fullest information on this subject. Papers are being prepared, and will be laid as soon as possible.
§ 71. Lord R. CECILasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the recent statements of Sir William Goode as to the terrible situation in Vienna; whether the Government have any official information on this point; and, if so, does it confirm the statements of Sir William Goode?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe reply to all parts of the question is in the affirmative.
§ 72. Lord HUGH CECILasked the Prime Minister whether the profits that are being made out of the export of coal partly arise from the high price of coal on the Continent of Europe; and whether it is intended to make any contribution to the relief of the distress now prevailing in parts of Central Europe out of these profits?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe coal exported is sold at the market price, and there seems, therefore, to be no reason why any profits derived from its sale should not be used to help British taxpayers.
§ Lord R. CECILHas the right hon. Gentleman considered the very grave coal position in some parts of Central Europe, and does he think it really is in consonance with the best traditions of this country that those who are comparatively well-off should be battening on the sufferings of others?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI really do not agree with what my Noble Friend has said.
Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSIs it not a fact that the profits derived from the high prices of coal are being paid by quite other nations and people than those suffering from the coal shortage in Central Europe?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe great bulk does not affect the countries to which my Noble Friend refers.