2. Miss Wardasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the reluctance of the French to ask for the services of U.N.R.R.A., he will arrange for the supplies available for them and which they urgently require in Normandy to be put at the disposal of the French Government direct in that area.
§ Mr. EdenThe provision and importation of relief supplies into France is at present the responsibility of the Supreme Allied Commander, who, in the discharge of it, acts in close consultation with the French Provisional Government. The French Provisional Government would, therefore, doubtless take up direct with the Supreme Allied Commander any special relief supply problems of the kind to which my hon. Friend refers.
Miss WardIs my right hon. Friend aware that supplies are very urgently required in Normandy, which is literally our sphere, and will he make representations to the Supreme Allied Commander in order to get in supplies at the earliest moment, before the real winter breaks?
§ Mr. EdenI do not know what my hon. Friend means by our sphere of influence. The position is that delivery of these supplies is a matter for the French Provisional Government to take up with the Supreme Commander. It is for them to take it up with them, and not for us.
Miss WardIs it not a fact that normally, so far as civil affairs are concerned, this is under the British sector, and will not my right hon. Friend take some responsibility for making representations that action should take place?
§ Mr. EdenThe position is as I have just stated in the answer. I read to the House:
The provision and importation of relief supplies into France is at present the responsibility of the Supreme Allied Commander, who, in the discharge of it, acts in close consultation with the French Provisional Government. …
§ Sir Irving AlberyIs it not to be regretted that the Allied Commander-in-Chief should be worried over questions of relief supplies?