HC Deb 06 November 1947 vol 443 c1981
18. Mr. Douglas Marshall

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much railway bridging has been exported to Poland as a free gift during 1946 and up to the present date; and what other material has been made available to Poland in the same way.

Mr. H. Wilson

As regards the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Louth (Mr. Osborne) on 3rd November. As regards the second part of the Question, I understand from the Departments concerned that other material made available to Poland as a free gift to the approximate value of half a million pounds, included a considerable quantity of greatcoats and battledress, smaller quantities of underclothing, kitchen utensils and hand tools and a few mobile kitchens and mobile refrigerating units—all out of surplus military stores.

Mr. Marshall

What precisely did we get in return?

Mr. Wilson

Most of this was supplied as part of a rehabilitation agreement with the Polish Government at the end of the war, but, of course, arising out of this and in part return for other surplus military stores which have been shipped to Poland since, we have had a trade agreement with Poland of considerable value to this country.

Vice-Admiral Taylor

Will the Minister make certain that these articles which go to Poland are utilised by the Poles and not by the Russians?