§ Q4. Mr. P. Noel-Bakerasked the Prime Minister whether he will propose to President Kennedy and the Prime Minister of Canada that the Western Governments should jointly initiate United Nations action to provide food for the millions in mainland China who are now threatened by famine.
§ The Prime MinisterI am sure that we all agree that ideological differences ought not to be a barrier to the relief 1582 of hunger. We have no precise information about the extent of the threat of famine in China, but there is certainly a serious food shortage and I have been thinking whether there are any ways in which we might help. But if food is to be got to the Chinese people, with the vast problem of distribution, it can only be with the willing co-operation of the Chinese Government. So far the Chinese Government have made no request for food, and I fear that an unsolicited offer is not likely to benefit the Chinese people.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerDoes the right hon. Gentleman recall that in 1922 Dr. Nansen of Norway proposed a League of Nations loan to help the Russians in the famine of that time without a request from the Russians? Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that many people think that if that had succeeded the course of history might have been changed? Does not he think that an imaginative act of statesmanship might have the same result today?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. But, as the right hon. Gentleman knows, very large quantities of food have been purchased by the Chinese recently from countries with surpluses. Of course, it is the countries of surplus which have to make the largest contribution. Nevertheless, I am considering this in communication with some of our friends.
§ Mr. S. SilvermanIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Chinese Government succeeded in reaching agreement with private firms for the purchase of surplus wheat in America and that our American allies prohibited the fulfilment of that agreement for the reasons hinted at in my right hon. Friend's supplementary question? If that is so, will not the Prime Minister make representations to our American allies to withdraw this prohibition?
§ The Prime MinisterI am not altogether sure that that would be well received by our friends in Australia and Canada, who have sold very large parts of their surpluses as a result.