64. Miss Rathboneasked the Minister of Food whether he can now give permission for parcels of food and small medical necessaries to be sent periodically, at the cost of the sender, to persons in France for whom satisfactory evidence is provided that such provision is temporarily needed to ensure their survival or restitution to health; and, if so, through what agency and under what conditions will this be allowed.
§ Mr. MabaneI have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Member for Islington, East (Mrs. Cazalet Keir) and the hon. and gallant Member for Ormskirk (Commander King-Hall) on 21st March.
Miss RathboneIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the information given in that reply was practically nil, and in view of the interminable delays that were made in securing large scale supplies for France, what possible disadvantage could there be in giving this small concession which would involve a very small supply of food for France?
§ Mr. MabaneThere is much more in it than that. The reply given to the earlier Questions was very definite, and perhaps the hon. Lady will wait for a further statement that may be made in the course of the Debate to-day.