§ 1 . Dr. Stephen Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the transport difficulties facing the Government and people of Poland in their efforts to organise the distribution of food and medical aid, His Majesty's Government will offer assistance to Poland, with regard, particularly, to the bridges destroyed during the war.
The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. McNeil)His Majesty's Government are conscious of the urgent need of material for the reconstruction of the Polish transport system, which was left in a chaotic condition after the German occupation. In order to facilitate the distribution of U.N.R.R.A. supplies and of goods produced in Poland, His Majesty's Government have decided to make available to the Polish Provisional Government, as a further contribution to the rehabilitation of Poland, a quantity of railway bridging, the shipment of which has already begun. As the Polish Provisional Government are not in a position to pay for this material, which consists mainly of surplus stores, it has been decided to send it as a gift. Its value is approximately £535,000.
§ Dr. TaylorWill my hon. Friend arrange for these bridges to be marked in some way, or otherwise make arrangements so that the Polish people may know from where they are coming?