§ 48. Mr. LUNNasked the Prime Minister whether reports received from Hungary show that food is urgently required in Budapest; whether about one million persons will require to be fed during the winter; and, if so, what action has been taken or is contemplated?
§ Mr. McCURDYI have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part of the-question is in the affirmative. The present shortage, however, is mainly attributed to requisitioning of food and transport material on account of the Roumanian occupation. The figure of one million persons probably requiring to be fed through national kitchens in the coming winter has been mentioned, but has not yet been verified. According to present estimates 1115 it is hoped that any deficiency in home products in Hungary will be made good by -deliveries from neighbouring countries.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYHave the requisitions been stopped at the present moment or are they still going on?
§ Mr. McCURDYI will make inquiry into that matter. My impression is that requisitioning has stopped.
§ 49. Mr. LUNNasked the Prime Minister what action it is proposed to take in order to safeguard the equitable distribution of supplies sent to Hungary?
§ Mr. McCURDYI have been asked to reply. Prior to the Roumanian occupation, it was estimated that indigenous Hungarian supplies should be sufficient to meet the needs of the population during the present cereal year. The feeding of the Hungarian population and consequently the distribution of supplies is primarily the responsibility of the Hungarian Government. The Hungarian Food Controller, however, has been, and is being, helped to organise the supply and distribution of food by British officers and by the British Relief Mission, acting in an advisory capacity.