HC Deb 27 March 1945 vol 409 cc1301-2
22. Mr. Godfrey Nicholson

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the nature of the arrangements for the dsitribution to the civil population in liberated Burma of such supplies as can be made available.

Sir J. Griģģ

Relief supplies for the civil population in Burma are distributed by the military authorities in liberated areas. The limiting factor is not so much the availability of supplies as the long line of communications through difficult country over which they have to travel.

Mr. Nicholson

Does that apply to the whole of Burma? Are the military authorities responsible for supplies for the whole of Burma or only for the forward areas?

Sir J. Griģģ

At present the whole of Burma which has been liberated is in what is known as "the military period."

Mr. Nicholson

How soon will it become the responsibility of the civil authorities?

Sir J. Griģģ

I cannot possibly say how soon further large tracts of Burma will be liberated.