§ LORD PORTSEAMy Lords, I beg to ask the starred question which stands in my name.
§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will now add to the reply made on March 18 to the suggestion of dropping leaflets and small parcels of coffee or tea on Jersey and Guernsey by way of encouragement and the showing of sympathy, and whether such leaflets and parcels have been or will be dropped.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA AND BURMA (THE EARL OF MUNSTER)My Lords, His Majesty's Government have given careful consideration to the proposal to drop small parcels of foodstuffs from the air over the Channel Islands. They have come 768 to the conclusion that the encouragement and benefit which the islanders would receive would not be commensurate with the difficulties in which the practice might involve them with the occupying forces.
§ LORD PORTSEAWill the noble Lord indicate, or explain, the great tenderness and encouragement which have been shown towards the Belgian people, involving the use of our own Royal Air Force in dropping parcels, and the very different attitude taken up towards our own people?