HC Deb 16 March 1948 vol 448 cc1869-70
41. Mr. Driberg

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will permit German prisoners of war to include small quantities of vegetable seeds in the parcels they send home.

Mr. Shinwell

In view of the fact that for supply reasons vegetable seeds are not allowed to be included in gift parcels by any sender in the United Kingdom, unless special permission is granted, I regret that I am unable to adopt this suggestion.

Mr. Driberg

Would not a very small quantity in all be involved, in view of the very small number of prisoners remaining here, and would not this be an encouraging gesture, having regard to the food situation in Germany?

Mr. Shinwell

I understand that special permission requires an export licence [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh"]—so I understand, and I am not responsible for export licences.