HC Deb 08 February 1961 vol 634 cc390-1
34. Mr. Dodds

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will investigate the circumstances surrounding the dumping, for several months, at the Royal Air Force airfield at Abingdon, of 8,000 tins of corned beef intended for starving people in the Congo; what it is now intended to do with the food; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Heath

This corned beef was part of a supply set aside for the Congo last summer after an appeal from Mr. Hammarskjoeld for help in combatting food shortages in urban areas in the Congo. It proved to be surplus to the consignment which the aeroplanes undertaking the operation were able to carry. We have more than once been in touch with the United Nations authorities about the meat; and we have now heard that they do not require it for famine relief. We shall, therefore, dispose of it through Government channels and remit the net proceeds to the United Nations.

Mr. Dodds

Is not it a terrible thing that many months ago the people of the Congo were dying of starvation and that this food would have been very useful? Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that a spokesman of United Nations, Mr. Norman Wright, said in Rome that he had never heard of it, and that this food would have been of great value many months ago? Since someone has blundered and this mountain of beef is at the airfield, will the right hon. Gentleman have an investigation to find out who is responsible? Will he make a statement so that the public, which is deeply concerned, can know whether the authorities are looking after these things as they should in an emergency of this sort?

Mr. Heath

I have made a very clear statement as to how this corned beef came to be at the aerodrome. I have also said that on more than one occasion we approached the United Nations about this and it has informed us that it does not require the food, and therefore it is to be sold. We have been in touch with the F.A.O. about the statement to which the hon. Gentleman referred, and Dr. Wright categorically denies that he made that statement.

Mr. C. Osborne

Withdraw that one.

Mr. Dodds

In view of the statement made by the Minister and the need to have it thoroughly investigated, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

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