§ 2. Mr. Heathcoat Amoryasked the Minister of Food what quantities of gift food in bulk and how many gift food parcels have been received from the Dominions and Colonies during the past three years; and how have these gifts been allocated.
§ The Minister of Food (Mr. Strachey)In the three years ended 31st December, 1948, no less than 54,000 tons of gift goods have been received from the Commonwealth and Colonies for general distribution to people most in need. These gifts have been distributed through the good offices and at the discretion of all the local authorities in the United Kingdom, and to over 1,900 hospitals, 2,500 charitable institutions and 1,800 schools. More than 50 million gift food parcels have come direct to individuals through the post from the Commonwealth and Colonies since 1939. I take this opportunity once again to thank the generous donors of all these gifts.
3. Mr. Amoryasked the Minister of Food how much cooking fat has been received under the Commonwealth Gift Food Scheme from the National Patriotic Fund of New Zealand; and how has this generous gift been allocated.
§ Mr. StracheyThe National Patriotic Fund of New Zealand sent us the splendid gift of 4,570 50-lb. tins of cooking fat. 1570 This has been allocated to 411 local authorities, 515 hospitals and 424 charitable institutions in many parts of the United Kingdom and is bringing great pleasure to a large number of people. I am sure the House will wish to join me in offering our warmest thanks to the donors.
Mr. AmoryWill the right hon. Gentleman seek an opportunity of making even better known among the people of this country the extent of these very generous gifts and also an opportunity of conveying to the Dominions and other donors the very grateful thanks of this House?
§ Mr. StracheyWe do what we can in that regard. We held the exhibition "Britain Says Thank You" in the autumn for this purpose, but I entirely agree that it is a thing we ought to continue to do and which we shall continue to do.