§ 2. Mr. F. Noel-Bakerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has yet set up the proposed national committee for the Freedom from Hunger Campaign of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations; what are the names and qualifications of its members; what are its functions; and what assistance the Government will provide to help it to perform them.
§ The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Christopher Soames)I hope to be able to make a statement at an early date.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerThe Minister will appreciate that this has taken a rather long time compared with other countries which have now established national committees, and that there are bodies 2 here who have offered to help to form a nucleus, including the United Nations Association. Can we take it that he will be giving this matter urgent attention and that he will make an announcement in a few weeks?
§ Mr. SoamesYes. I regard it as of great importance to get on with this. I am anxious that we should set up our committee in the best way and that all the interests prepared to help should be tied together in this.
§ Sir H. Legge-BourkeArising out of the last part of the Question, will my right hon. Friend reconsider the possibility of our sending in kind, instead of by means of finance, assistance to those needing it, especially using the surplus crops of certain commodities produced in this country?
§ Mr. SoamesThat is a question which is rather wide of this particular committee.