§ 44. Mr. K. Lindsayasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is now in a position to make a statement on the attitude of the Government towards the United Nations Children's Emergency Fund.
§ Mr. BevinI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Leyton, West (Mr. Sorensen) on 9th February last, to which I have nothing to add.
§ Mr. LindsayWhile fully appreciating that the Government have made a very substantial contribution through U.N.R.R.A. to European reconstruction, may I ask my right hon. Friend to clear up this point about which there is a great deal of confusion: If the Government make a contribution to this Fund, will it attract very much larger sums from the United States Treasury, and thereby make a very real contribution to this very important work?
§ Mr. BevinI cannot answer that question. I might attract it from the United 376 States Treasury, but can I attract it from the Appropriations Committee of Congress? That is the biggest worry to me.
§ Mr. StokesIs it not the fact that the arrangement is that whatever is subscribed by this country—officially by the Government—will be equalled by the subscription from America? That is the understanding, surely?
§ Mr. LipsonIs my right hon. Friend aware that the Minister of State did promise the House when the matter was last raised that it would be given further consideration? Can he say if the matter has been given further consideration? If it has not, will it?
§ Mr. BevinWe are reviewing the whole position, but I must warn the House of this: we have given so much money in the last two and a half years to Europe, and the situation is such in this country, that we have to review these gifts very carefully. However, we are looking into it.
§ Mr. SorensenWill my right hon. Friend give us some idea when conclusions on this matter will be reached? If we had some idea of when they would be reached, it would be a help.