asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the amount expended to date out of the £3,000,000 voted for alleviation of distress in Europe; and also the quantity of the various commodities supplied and their destinations.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Alleviation of Distress in Europe.
As a certain amount of statistical matter is involved, I propose with the Deputy's permission to circulate the reply with the Official Report. The following is the information required:—
STATEMENT SHOWING QUANTITIES OF RELIEF COMMODITIES SHIPPED TO EUROPE UP TO 9TH OCTOBER, 1945.
|
Commodity |
France |
Italy |
Belgium |
Holland |
Int. Red Cross |
|||||
|
Butter |
— |
— |
— |
200 |
tons |
— |
||||
|
Dried Milk |
— |
— |
10 |
tons |
10 |
,, |
7½ |
tons |
||
|
Condensed Milk |
50 |
tons |
50 |
tons |
50 |
,, |
50 |
,, |
37½ |
|
|
Cheese |
— |
— |
50 |
,, |
50 |
,, |
37½ |
,, |
||
|
Sugar |
1,195.8 |
,, |
280 |
,, |
1,513½ |
,, |
750 |
,, |
1,500 |
,, |
|
Baby Foods |
2 |
,, |
— |
— |
10 |
,, |
— |
|||
|
Woollen Blankets |
20,000 |
20,000 |
20,000 |
20,000 |
15,000 |
|||||
|
Woollen Socks |
— |
— |
14,400 prs. |
48,000 prs. |
18,000 prs. |
|||||
|
Hand Knitting Yarn |
— |
— |
10,000 lbs. |
— |
— |
|||||
|
Cattle |
— |
— |
— |
160 |
— |
|||||
|
Horses |
— |
— |
— |
6 |
— |
It is understood that the goods so far consigned to the International Red Cross are intended for distribution to Central and Eastern European countries.
As invoices for much of the goods despatched have not yet been furnished and as accounts for freight charges have not yet been presented by any of the shipping companies it is not possible to give an up-to-date statement of the financial position. Payments actually made to date amount to approximately £158,000.
Apart from the cattle and horses shown in the statement as despatched to Holland (as a free gift) purchases of live stock for the Continent since the end of the war have been made direct by representatives of France and Belgium. To date 2,515 cattle have been purchased by Belgian and 192 cattle by French representatives, at an estimated total value of £85,800. In addition 610 horses have been purchased for France but information as to the estimated value is not available.