HC Deb 09 July 1953 vol 517 cc1475-6
35. Mr. Dodds

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department at which depots mailbags and sacks containing gifts intended for flood victims are still unopened; and what is the number still to be opened.

36. Mr. Driberg

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many mailbags, sacks and parcels containing gifts for flood victims still remain unopened; what attempts have been made, by public appeal or otherwise, to get additional voluntary labour for this task; and when he expects that all the parcels will have been opened and the gifts distributed.

Sir H. Lucas-Tooth

My right hon. and learned Friend is informed by the Women's Voluntary Services that no mailbags remain unopened and that it is estimated that 85 per cent. of the packages received have been unpacked and dealt with. The number of garments already unpacked, sorted and graded is approximately 10 million. Distribution is still continuing and a generous issue of winter clothing is planned. It is not possible to say when all the clothing will have been disposed of.

Mr. Dodds

Does not the hon. Gentleman appreciate that the Government of the day have some responsibility to the millions who were so good as to send these parcels, and that the parcels should have been opened before now? On his own statement 15 per cent. are still unopened. Does he not think that is wrong when all that is required is an application to other authorities to help the W.V.S., who do not seem able to do the job fast enough?

Sir H. Lucas-Tooth

Having regard to the very large number of parcels involved, I think that the hon. Member is less than generous to the magnificent work of the Women's Voluntary Services.

Mr. Driberg

While everyone appreciates the good work of the W.V.S., does the hon. Gentleman seriously suggest that five months taken in unpacking parcels is a very speedy job, even though there are a large number of articles? Could he not call in some other agencies to assist because, on the percentage he quoted, it seems that a million garments are still undistributed?

Sir H. Lucas-Tooth

I do not think the hon. Member realised that I said that all the mailbags had been opened. It is only 15 per cent. of the packages which remain unpacked. The number is very large and, as I told the House last week, no damage is being done to the garments not yet unpacked.

Mr. Dodds

Does the hon. Gentleman appreciate that various other organisations are anxious to help in this work? Why should they be kept out and why should the work only be given to the W.V.S., who have been on it for five months?

Sir H. Lucas-Tooth

I was not aware that other offers of help had been made. If the hon. Member will communicate with me I will look into the matter.

Mr. Assheton

Is not my hon. Friend of the opinion that many hon. Members in this House do not know how big a million is?

Mr. Driberg

Would the hon. Gentleman please answer the middle part of my Question 36: what attempts have been made, by public appeal or otherwise, to get additional voluntary labour … What is the point of saying that these garments are not suffering any damage? Does the hon. Gentleman not realise that they were needed four or five months ago?

Sir H. Lucas-Tooth

I think I am right in saying that the total of garments is in excess of the immediate needs. As I have indicated in my answer, it is a question of making garments available for the coming winter. As to the first part of the hon. Member's supplementary question, the Chairman of the W.V.S. has today sent a personal letter to all W.V.S. regions asking for a big effort to dispose of these gifts.