10. Miss Rathboneasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any reply has now been received from the Government of the U.S.S.R. giving permission for a delegation or supplies from U.N.R.R.A. to reach Poland or any districts in Russia where Polish or other deported persons are in need of assistance; and whether similar permission has been given for missions or supplies to be sent by any bodies other than U.N.R.R.A.
§ Mr. EdenI am informed that the Russian authorities have promised U.N.R.R.A. facilities for the transit of supplies to Poland. Arrangements for the transit of a delegation are not yet concluded, but the despatch of supplies is not being delayed on that account. As regards the last part of the Question, I have no information.
Miss RathboneConsidering that the U.S.S.R. was one of the three Great Powers which initiated U.N.R.R.A., is not this very long delay, lasting over two months, in giving permission for a personal delegation very unsatisfactory? Why should Russia be afraid of impartial observers?
§ Mr. EdenI am neither responsible for the Soviet Government nor for U.N.R.R.A. All I can do is to give the House information. I also regret the delay and I am glad that at last shipments have apparently begun.