§ 2. Sir Patrick Hannonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is satisfied that the distribution of food in Italy by U.N.R.R.A, reaches the distressed people for whom it is intended; and if he can assure the House that no substantial part of our food consignments to U.N.R.R.A. is dealt with on the black market.
Mr. Noel-BakerThe U.N.R.R.A. mission in Italy controls the scales of its food rations which are issued to the Italian people, and regularly reviews the returns of its ration issues and its warehouse stocks. I am satisfied that, by these means, it ensures that U.N.R.R.A. supplies reach the people for whom they are intended, and that in Italy virtually no U.N.R.R.A. food reaches the black market.
§ Sir P. HannonHas the right hon. Gentleman received any recent reports from Italy independently of the Italian Government, and is he aware that the distribution of food subscribed by the charities of this country and the United States is in danger of becoming a real scandal in international affairs?
Mr. Noel-BakerI cannot accept that for a moment. Of course I receive reports from Italy, and of course the U.N.R.R.A. Mission are constantly supervising this work. They are satisfied that there is some petty pilfering, but we had large-scale pilfering on our railways during the war. They are satisfied that poor people sometimes sell the more expensive forms of food they receive from U.N.R.R.A. in order to buy themselves larger quantities of cheaper food. A little food from U.N.R.R.A. sources may reach the black market in that way, but the quantity is very small.
§ Mr. OsborneIs the Minister aware that during my recent tour in Italy U.N.R.R.A. officials told me that something like 20 per cent. of our supplies 365 were reaching the black market still? Can nothing be done to prevent the British taxpayers being exploited by the racketeers in Italy?
Mr. Noel-BakerPerhaps the hon. Member will let me know who were the officials who gave him the information, and I will then make inquiries.