HC Deb 17 February 1947 vol 433 cc132-3W
104. Mr. Philips Price

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the serious situation in the Ukraine and White Russia caused by drought and the winding up of U.N.R.R.A. relief, he will take steps through U.N.O. to secure a continuation of such relief to these areas as is possible.

Mr. Mayhew

The procedure for dealing with relief needs in 1947 was laid down by the General Assembly's Resolution of 11th December last. Under this, the pro' vision of relief was left to individual countries in a position to assist, but a Special Technical Committee was set up to assess relief needs for 1947. All countries which had been receiving U.N.R.R.A. help and which considered that their relief needs would continue after the end of U.N.R.R.A. were invited to submit estimates to this committee. I am informed that no information was submitted by the Ukraine or by Byelo-Russia. It remains open to these countries to inform the Secretary-General of the United Nations, to whom a co-ordinating function has been given, if they find themselves in need of further relief assistance. It would then be for the Secretary-General to inform member governments.