§ 37. Mr. Dribergasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the present food situation in Western Germany and the continued maldistribution of food between the countryside and the large towns, he is satisfied with the efficiency of the administration of Herr Schlange-Schoeningen.
§ Mr. BevinThe failure of the Germans to collect and distribute supplies of food in a satisfactory fashion has been giving much concern to the Allied authorities. I 371 am, however, assured that the position in regard to the German food administration at Frankfurt, whose powers are now being extended, has recently improved and that its efficiency is steadily increasing.
§ Mr. StokesMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is not a fact that shortages from collections on the farms amount only to about 55 calories per head per day, whereas shortages from expected imports amount to 200 calories a day, and that really the collectors have done pretty well?
§ Mr. StokesBut 200 calories is better still.
§ Mr. DribergIn view of the long letter from Herr Schlange-Schoeningen in today's "Times," by implication criticising the British administration, is my right hon. Friend considering the precedent set by British South American Airways in the case of Air Vice-Marshal Bennett? Will he also say whether he agrees with the very sensible editorial comments of "The Times"?
§ Mr. Stokes"The Times" is shocking.
§ Mr. BevinSo long as it is shocking "The Times" keeps up to its traditions. When it becomes flabby it is bad. I do not think the precedent of the South American Airways, whatever it may be, has anything to do with the German administration. In the case of the German administration, we have handed most of these powers over to the Germans.