HC Deb 23 May 1944 vol 400 cc565-7
36. Mr. Edmund Harvey

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare what representations have recently been made to the Government as to the desirability of permitting capsules of a number of other vitamins in addition to, or in partial substitution for vitamin D to be sent into the countries occupied by Germany; and whether the Allied Governments concerned have been consulted about this.

Mr. Foot

The only representations recently made to His Majesty's Government an this subject were by a deputation from the Manchester and Salford Famine Relief Committee, which was received by my Noble Friend the Minister of Economic Warfare on 1st May. The answer to the second part of the Question is in the negative.

Mr. Harvey

Has my hon. Friend's attention been called to the Lebanon Conference, under the Hellenic Prime Minister, which emphasised the need for further medical and food supplies for Greece?

Mr. Foot

I have not yet seen the report to which my hon. Friend refers, but I would remind him that we have quite recently made a substantial increase in the relief shipments to Greece.

38. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare if he has any further statement to make respecting the supplies of vitamin capsules and medical supplies to occupied countries; and whether impending military operations will mean the temporary suspension of these.

Mr. Foot

As regards the first part of the Question, I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave on 9th May to my hon. Friend the Member for the English Universities (Mr. E. Harvey). As regards the second part of the Question, I should be reluctant to speculate in public as to how far impending military operations may mean the temporary cessation of these supplies.

Mr. Sorensen

Can we be assured by the hon. Gentleman that every endeavour will be made to see that these urgently necessary supplies continue?

Mr. Foot

In the near future, operational considerations must come first, and I do not think I could possibly give the assurance for which my hon. Friend asks.

Mr. Sorensen

May I point out that all I was asking was that the hon. Gentleman should endeavour to see that those supplies continue?

Sir Alfred Beit

What is inside a vitamin capsule?

Mr. Foot

A vitamin.