HC Deb 25 June 1942 vol 380 cc2157-8
61. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to assist the dependants of British subjects whose lives or livelihood have been lost through the conquest of the Far East by the enemy?

The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Harold Macmillan)

I am glad to be able to say that an unofficial fund is being formed which will be available to supplement in special cases of individual need the official action referred to by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his reply of 9th June to the hon. Member for Ipswich (Mr. Stokes).

Sir T. Moore

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that the response to this unofficial fund will be sufficiently satisfactory to enable adequate help to be given to these unfortunate people?

Mr. Macmillan

I think the sources out of which the fund would be raised will be sufficient and that the flexibility of this matter will meet cases of need better than a more rigid system.