HC Deb 04 November 1919 vol 120 cc1286-7
1. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there is an acute shortage of milk for children and invalids in the devastated areas of France and Belgium; and, if so, whether this country is taking steps to relieve the shortage in these districts?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Cecil Harmsworth)

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part of the question, I understand that, while no measures have been taken by His Majesty's Government to relieve the milk shortage in France and Belgium out of relief credits, since the matter is one which solely concerns the French and Belgian Governments, nevertheless the Agricultural Relief of the Allies Committee have supplied from this country a certain quantity of live stock to the areas of the Somme, the Marne, and the Meuse in France, and to the Yser valley in Belgium. The action taken by His Majesty's Government, in conjunction with their Allies, is contained in Annex 4 to Part VIII. of the Treaty of Peace with Germany. I may mention that strong representations have been made to us by the French Government as to the serious nature of their losses of cows and other live stock.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Are the French Government and their local authorities quite satisfied with the measures we have taken to save infant mortality by rushing supplies to them? Are they satisfied with what we have done?

Sir J. D. REES

What obligation rests on the people of this country to provide milk for sick and ailing in other countries at a time when it is only available at almost prohibitive prices for our own people?

Colonel GREIG

Will the Government use their best efforts to secure that Germany shall return the milch cows taken from France and Belgium?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

In regard to the last question, my hon. and gallant Friend may be aware that the Supreme Council at Paris has this matter in hand. I do not think I can answer the question of the hon. Member opposite (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) without notice.