Mr. A. DAVIES (Clitheroe)asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any action has been taken by the Government, either on its own behalf or in connection with an Allied or Associated Power, to prevent or hinder the granting of credits to German-Austria, 952W or to any other part of the late Austria-Hungarian empire; whether food-stuffs are at present detained in Trieste for lack of credits; and whether, in view of the fact that the population of Vienna is starving and that a formal promise has been given at the conclusion of the Treaty to look after Austria's needs in fuel and food, he will give an undertaking that no difficulties will be placed in the way of any persons able and willing to place credits at the disposal of the Central European peoples?
Mr. HARMSWORTHThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part of the question, I am informed that the difficulties which had arisen about making available for Austria terrain supplies of grain lying at Trieste are row in process of being overcome, and that a considerable proportion of those supplies has been despatched to Austria, by rail. As regards the last part of the question, his Majesty's Government have no intention of putting obstacles in the way of persons who wish to give credits to central European countries.