HC Deb 26 October 1943 vol 393 cc40-1W
Mr. Stokes

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare whether his attention has been called to the Report of Mr. George Exintaris, a former Minister of Agriculture in Greece recently escaped from that country, that the crop has been bad; that there is a deficit of 150,000 tons of wheat and that famine conditions as bad as in the worst five months of 1941–42 will prevail this winter; and what steps His Majesty's Government propose to take to alleviate the distress of our Allies?

Mr. Foot

Since his arrival in London Mr. Exintaris has been in touch with my Department, and has had an interview with my Noble Friend the Minister of Economic Warfare. The views which he has expressed will, of course; receive the most careful consideration. At the moment, however, I have nothing to add to the statements I have already made regarding, the Greek relief scheme.

Mr. Cove

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare whether he is now in a position to report to this House as to whether the steps taken for the control of domestic supplies of food in Greece, which came into force in October, 1942, have proved adequate; and whether the Swedish Swiss Commission and the Greek Government have expressed satisfaction with the working of the controls?

Mr. Foot

I regret that the information which I have so far received from Greece does not enable me to give the House an assurance as to the working of the safeguards for Greek domestic produce. In the late summer of this year Greek crops were requisitioned or destroyed in certain areas, allegedly as a reprisal for guerilla activities. The authorities in charge of the relief scheme who protested against these proceedings were informed that steps would be taken to avoid such incidents being repeated. I must, however, make it clear that any repetition would be regarded by His Majesty's Government as being in effect a breach of the conditions of the scheme. As regards the second part of the Question, as far as I am aware the answer is in the negative.

Mr. Stokes

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare whether the supplies of milk and vitamin concentrates included in relief shipments to Greece since April are an addition to the supplies previously permitted to pass through the blockade; and whether he can give an assurance that these supplies fully satisfy the appeals for additional supplies made by the Swedish-Swiss Commission which controls the relief operations in Greece and by other responsible spokesmen such as M. Exintaris?

Mr. Foot

As regards milk, the supplies authorised in June represent an increase in monthly amounts previously allowed. As I informed my hon. Friend the Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère) on 14th October, the Commission in June requested the despatch of 260 tons of powdered milk or 600 tons of condensed milk per month. It was decided to authorise monthly shipments from July of 300 tons of condensed milk and 300 tons of evaporated milk. This replaced previous monthly allotments of 300 tons. As regards vitamins, a new six-months' programme was submitted by the Commission in June, representing in some respects a slight increase in the rate of supplies. These supplies, so far as they are obtainable, are being procured and despatched. As regards the last part of the Question, I do not know what appeals, other than requests from the Neutral Commission, my hon. Friend has in mind.