48. Commander Kinģ-Hallasked the Minister of Food whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the possibility of residents in the United Kingdom being permitted to send to private persons in France parcels of unrationed foodstuffs not exceeding £1 in value and 500 grammes in weight at least once a week.
§ 49. Mrs. Cazalet Keirasked the Minister of Food if letter-packets sent to liberated countries in Europe can include gifts of food and other rationed commodities.
§ Colonel LlewellinThe Government have decided that it must continue to prohibit the export of food from this country otherwise than on Government account. They have already themselves made all possible provision for the peoples of the liberated areas from supplies in this country.
Commander Kinģ-HallWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind, when the situation becomes easier, doing all he can to help these people?
§ Colonel LlewellinYes, Sir, and I think the right way to save both transport and man-power is for the food to be sent as from one Government to another or to the military authorities. Moreover, this ensures that it is evenly distributed in the receiving countries and that people do not get preference because they happen to have friends in this country.
Miss RathboneIs the Minister aware that there is a growing feeling of uneasiness that we are behaving very selfishly? [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] Should not people be allowed to send money, and also give out of their rations, if they feel stricken in their consciences because they know that people are dying who might be saved?
§ Colonel LlewellinI believe that the whole matter will be discussed in this House some day next week, so perhaps we had better leave broader questions of that sort to be discussed then.