§ The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Herbert Morrison)I wish, with permission, to make a statement on the question of supplies for the Channel Islands. It is, of course, a recognised principle of international law that an Occupying Power is responsible for supplies to the civil population. Nevertheless, in view of the reports received as to the conditions in the Islands, His Majesty's Government have decided that it would be right to supplement the rations of the civil population of the Islands by sending supplies of medicines, soap, and food parcels on the basis of 1056 those supplied to prisoners of war. The German Government have now agreed to this procedure, and have granted a safe conduct to the ship which will convey these supplies to the Islands. Final arrangements for the departure of the ship have not yet been completed, but His Majesty's Government have every reason to believe that she will be ready to sail within the next few days.
§ Viscount HinchingbrookeCan arrangements be made for the ship to take in mail and to bring mail out of the Islands?
§ Mr. MorrisonI am not sure that that can be arranged at this stage. We will do everything we can, but we thought that the urgent thing was to get food in.
§ Sir Ralph GlynIs a representative of the Red Cross accompanying this ship, to see what arrangements will be necessary in the future for medical stores?
§ Mr. MorrisonWe will take note of that point, but, if the House will forgive me, I do not want to go too far into detail at the moment.
§ Mr. FrankelHas my right hon. Friend any reason to think that the distribution of these stores will be satisfactory?
§ Mr. MorrisonWe have reasonable cause to believe that that will be taken care of.