HC Deb 05 October 1944 vol 403 cc1156-7W
Sir R. Glyn

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the total financial commitment of the Government of the United Kingdom and the Dominion Governments, separately, in U.N.R.R.A., as defined at the plenary session now being concluded at Montreal; how many Allied Governments are now parties to. the scheme; which liberated Governments have indicated their desire to be aided from this source; and in how many of these cases will value for goods advanced be repaid and over what term of years.

Mr. George Hall

The amount of the financial commitment of the Government of the United Kingdom to the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration is approximately £80,000,000. The Dominion Governments have agreed to contribute on the same scale, which represents approximately one per cent, of the national incomes of their countries for the year ended 30th June, 1943. The forty-four United Nations are parties to the scheme.

As regards the third and fourth parts of the Question, specific arrangements are necessarily a matter between the Administration and the Governments concerned within the framework of the general principles laid down in the Resolutions adopted at the First Session of the Council (published as Command Paper No. 6497). It is expected that the detailed report of the Director-General to the Montreal Conference will shortly be published which should give the information that my hon. Friend desires.

Sir R. Glyn

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action it is now proposed to take to inform public opinion in this country and throughout the Empire of the intentions of the Director-General of U.N.R.R.A. for the relief of liberated countries; and to what extent the production of such goods will have priority over the manufacture of articles required for our own populations.

Mr. George Hall

As regards the first part of my hon. Friend's Question, I would refer him to the last part of my previous reply. As regards the second part, the needs of liberated areas must, of course, be fairly balanced against other requirements, among which the accumulated needs of our own population must have their proper place, and it is not possible at present to lay down any general priority of the kind suggested.