§ 83. Mr. Philips Priceasked the Secretary of. State for Foreign Affairs whether it is proposed that any organisation connected with U.N.O. shall undertake some or any part of the relief work in countries suffering from the effects of the war, which has been up to now undertaken by U.N.R.R.A.
Mr. McNeilYes, Sir.
Provision has already been made for the Interim Commission of the World Health Organisation to carry on certain of U.N.R.R.A.'s health functions, and 1½ million dollars has been handed over by U.N.R.R.A. to the Organisation for this purpose.
In addition, the Secretary-General of the United Nations has been authorised to make arrangements, in consultation with the Economic and Social Council and with the cooperation of the specialised agencies, for the continuance of U.N.R.R.A.'s most urgent and important welfare advisory functions. The funds necessary for this will be found from the United Nations budget An International Children's Fund has just been established to continue some of U.N.R.R.A.'s child-feeding and welfare work. It will utilise U.N.R.R.A 's residual assets together with voluntary contributions from other sources. The Director-General of U.N.R.R.A. has arranged for the Food and Agriculture Organisation to carry on agricultural technical assistance to Governments, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation will provide special assistance in the field of educational relief and rehabilitation. It is hoped that the International Refugee Organisation, whose constitution was agreed at the last meeting of the General Assembly, will take over most of U.N.R.R.A.'s functions connected with the care and welfare of displaced persons.
112WAs regards relief supplies generally, a special technical committee established under the auspices of the United Nations is now examining the U.N.R.R.A. recipient countries' requirements in 1947, and is shortly to make its report. On the basis of this governments will be able to decide upon the measures to be taken to assist countries in need. In spite of progress made so far, much remains to be done—as the House is aware—before some of the new permanent organisations can be made fully effective. But we shall not slacken our efforts to bring them quickly into operating efficiency, particularly in order to avoid a gap between the end of U.N.R.R.A.'s activities and the continuance of such of its work as the United Nations has decided to maintain.