§ 11.16 a.m.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in view of the disappointing amounts so far contributed in the country to aid for Florence, they will consider organising or encouraging a united national appeal.]
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, I cannot agree with the noble Lord that the amounts so far contributed in this country to Italian flood relief have been disappointing. My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary described in detail what was being done in his statement in another place on November 18. The latest figures suggest that the sums given or pledged to date by the voluntary societies, Her Majesty's Government, other bodies and private individuals, amount to some £200,000 for Italy as a whole. This is apart from the sums being collected by the Italian Art and Archives Rescue Fund, under the chairmanship of Sir Ashley Clarke, which has already sent to Florence nearly £50,000 in cash or materials.
In addition, I understand that a Trust Fund is to be set up, under the chairmanship of Lord Hastings, for the relief of human victims of the floods, both in Florence and in other parts of Italy. I am told the Fund will be opened officially in January, after the necessary preparations have been made. Her Majesty's Government welcome the intention to establish this Fund and wish it every success. I should like to take this opportunity of paying tribute to the efforts of the voluntary societies as well as to the public spirit of the private individuals who have contributed towards or are helping to organise relief.
§ LORD SNOWMy Lords, obviously there can be differences of opinion about the meaning of "disappointing", but I should have thought that £200,000from a country so interested in Italian art was (shall I say?) pitiable? On the other hand, I am delighted at the news that a Trust Fund, under the chairmanship of the noble Lord, Lord Hastings, is to be set up. I cannot imagine any person who would preside over it with more drive and love. May I therefore ask Her Majesty's Government whether this particular exercise will act as a guide to them in what must be a similar appeal for Venice on a much bigger scale in the near future?
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, so far as the noble Lord's expression of opinion about this being "pitiable" is concerned, I think he will probably agree that all those who share his view will have an opportunity to set the matter right when the Trust Fund is established in the New Year. I agree that if one compares it with the most remarkable sums collected for the national tragedies both at Aberfan and at Shepherd's Bush recently the amount is smaller. But, as the Italian Red Cross made clear, Italy is not herself a poor country, and I should have thought that in all the circumstances what has been done was not inconsiderable. As to the latter part of the noble Lord's question, again I will make inquiries and let him have the answer.
§ LORD SOMERSMy Lords, can the noble Lord, Lord Beswick, give any figures which show how our contribution compares with the contributions of other countries?
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, I understand that in some cases our contribution is smaller, for example, in relation to that of the United States. In relation to other countries it is, of course, larger.
LORD FARINGDONMy Lords, I wonder whether the noble Lord would not agree that perhaps the most useful help we could give to Italy at this time would be the help of our experts and skilled people who have rare knowledge of the repairs that are needed, rather than actual sums of money?
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, I am quite certain that what the noble Lord says is correct. A good deal has been done, and every encouragement is being given for further help of this kind to be given.