§ 5. Mr. Sorensenasked the Prime Minister whether the Government of Finland has yet approached His Majesty's Government respecting economic and other assistance towards reconstruction and repair necessitated by the recent war; approximately the total value of military assistance rendered to Finland during that war; whether he has any information respecting social and medical assistance given or offered during that period from philanthropic British societies; and whether such private assistance can still be given and would be welcomed by the Finnish Government?
§ Mr. ButlerNo official approach has yet been made to His Majesty's Government by the Finnish Government. By the end of the war the orders for arms and military supplies placed in this country by that Government under the export credits made available for them amounted to some £5,500,000. It is well known that valuable work was done in Finland during the war by the British Red Cross Society. I have no reason to suppose that further private assistance of this kind could not still be given if desired or that it would not be welcomed by the Finnish Government.
§ Mr. SorensenMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he does not think, in view of the obligations of this country towards Finland, that it would be an excellent way to implement that sympathy by giving some material and tangible assistance?
§ Mr. ButlerThe sympathy of His Majesty's Government has been already fully expressed.
§ Mr. ManderIs it not the case that the British Government have made an appeal to the States Members of the League to render all the assistance they can in the way of reconstruction?
§ Mr. ButlerI understand that the Secretary-General of the League has issued a statement hoping that members of the League will give all the assistance they can to the Finnish Government.
§ Sir Patrick HannonIs it not the fact that a great number of voluntary organisations have made arrangements to provide substantial relief to Finland?
§ Mr. ButlerYes, Sir, and I alluded to to that in the latter part of my reply.
§ Mr. KirkwoodWill the right hon. Gentleman be in a position to tell the House whether there is any body outside who will come to the assistance of Great Britain after the war to help in the reconstruction of Britain?
§ 1. Mr. Edeasked the Prime Minister what obligations His Majesty's Government now have to maintain the territorial integrity and political independence of Finland against aggression?
§ Mr. ButlerHis Majesty's Government have not assumed any commitment towards Finland other than that which may be implied in their membership of the League of Nations.