§ 2.43 p.m.
§ LORD ALPORTMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action will be taken to help the Government of India to provide additional food, particularly rice, in order to make good the serious shortages existing in various parts of the Republic.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (LORD WALSTON)My Lords, responsibility for dealing with shortages of food in various parts of India rests with the Government of India. No request for help in dealing with the present shortage of rice in South India has been received from the 495 Indian authorities. In August and September the principal food shortages were in the wheat-eating districts of Northern India, and the British Government, at the request of the Indians, diverted to Indian ports three ships carrying 38,000 tons of wheat. If any further request is received we shall, of course, gladly consider how best we can help. Meanwhile, I am glad to remind the House also of the assistance given by OXFAM and other voluntary organisations.
§ LORD ALPORTMy Lords, may I ask whether it is the policy of the Government to await requests of this sort from the countries that are having difficulties, or whether it is their policy to make an offer before a request is received?
§ LORD WALSTONMy Lords, we undoubtedly await requests from the Governments concerned. We cannot go into other countries, even if they be members of the Commonwealth, without a request. As the noble Lord knows, we are always in very close touch with the Indian High Commission Office and the Government of India, and undoubtedly any request we received from them would be looked at with great urgency and sympathy.