§ 27. Mr. Somerville Hastingsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what are the most recent findings of visiting teams of experts on the nutritional state of the people living in the western zones of Germany.
§ Mr. MayhewLate last autumn, the members of the Combined Nutrition Committee reported that the state of nutrition of the urban population in the western zones of Germany had improved during the previous six months, though this does not, of course, mean that the standard is in the least satisfactory. Famine oedema was stated to be very rare and adult body weights had not declined. The findings of the Combined Nutrition Committee have been confirmed by a survey of representatives of the Medical Research Council carried out in November last.
§ Mr. HastingsWill the result of the survey carried out by members of the Medical Research Council be published?
§ Mr. MayhewThe survey was made for the personal guidance of the Commander-in-chief and there is no intention of publishing it.
§ Mr. HastingsWould it not be of great interest to the public, in view of the disquieting statements that are received from many directions about the nutritional state of Germany?
§ Mr. MayhewI am not sure that the report is suitably produced and in a suitable form for publication. If further information is required on this matter I would be glad to make a reply of greater length at Question Time.