§ 16. Sir Henry Morris-Jonesasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare whether he has considered the petition signed by over 3,000 9 residents in Colwyn Bay asking His Majesty's Government to grant permits for such relief schemes of food to enemy-controlled territories as can be satisfactorily carried out by the International and Swedish Red Cross; and whether he has any statement to make?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare (Mr. Dingle Foot)My Noble Friend has received and considered this petition. As regards the possibility of allowing food to pass through the blockade, I have nothing to add to the many statements I have already made on this subject.
§ Sir H. Morris-JonesCould not the Government reconsider this matter; will my hon. Friend say whether, if Swedish and Portuguese shipping is available and it does not affect our war effort, he will reconsider this matter; and does he appreciate the fact that these people will not care whether we win the war at all?
§ Mr. FootI certainly do not agree with the last part of the Supplementary Question. Though shipping is an important consideration, the most important consideration is the benefit, direct or indirect, which the enemy would certainly obtain if there was any raising of the blockade.
§ Sir H. Morris-JonesIs it not a fact—these figures have been given to us—that the stuff which has already been sent through has not benefited the enemy in any way?
§ Mr. FootI do not know what figures my hon. Friend has in mind, but I think any importation through the blockade must bring a certain degree of benefit to the enemy.
§ Mr. Edmund HarveyWill my hon. Friend assure the House that the Government are keeping the situation under review and have not closed their minds to the possibility of some form of controlled relief?
§ Mr. John DugdaleDoes not the hon. Gentleman agree that there are more valuable duties for our shipping than sending this stuff through blockaded areas?