HC Deb 01 February 1944 vol 396 cc1152-3W
Sir T. Moore

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare, if he can make any further state- ment regarding the present position of German occupied countries, especially Greece and Belgium, in respect of the import and distribution of food supplies from the United Nations and neutral countries.

Mr. Foot

On the general question of the despatch of foodstuffs to German-occupied countries I have nothing to add to my previous statements. As regards the Greek Relief Scheme, however, I can now inform the House of the addition of certain Swedish vessels to the Relief Service. The first of these, the "Saggat," is already on its way from Canada to Greece with relief goods. The other two, the "Pedro Christopherson" and the "Virginia" are expected to leave Sweden in the immediate future. The "Virginia" is intended to replace the "Camelia," which recently sustained damage at Salonika and will take some time to repair. It is intended that the "Pedro Christopherson" should proceed to an Argentine port in order to transport thence to Greece a cargo of wheat from stocks given to the Greek Government by Argentina. The "Virginia" will proceed directly to Greece, and will carry approximately 2,000 tons of salt fish, and 200 tons of dried milk, the gift of the Swedish Government. This ship will probably thereafter be employed in the local distribution of relief from Piraeus to other centres.