§ 5. Captain Cunningham-Reidasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what are the food and living conditions to-day of the inhabitants of the recent North African battle area.
§ Mr. EdenEvery effort is being made to maintain adequate living conditions for the civil population of French North Africa. The task is, however, not easy, for in Algeria, and even more in Tunisia, the national economy is still suffering from the effects of last year's fighting. Moreover, owing to the requirements of the war effort, the volume of shipping available for the carriage of goods to North Africa for civilian consumption is 499 strictly limited, and the exceptionally poor harvests of the last year have made it necessary to import cereals as well as other necessities, such as sugar and textiles, which cannot be locally produced.
§ Captain Cunningham-ReidWhat assistance have the British, in particular, given, and what assistance are they giving now, to the inhabitants in those ravaged North African areas?
§ Mr. EdenThese are matters for arrangement between the Allied Governments concerned, and we agree upon what help is to be sent to an individual country.