– in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 9 June 1947.
Lieut-Colonel David Rees-Williams
, Croydon South
12:00,
9 June 1947
asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent assistance rendered to the United Kingdom in money, food and in other ways by the Dominion members of the Commonwealth.
Mr Arthur Bottomley
, Rochester Chatham
As regards monetary gifts, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer by the Chancellor of the exchequer on 28th April to the hon. and gallant Member for West Edinburgh (Lieut.-Commander Hutchison), in which he gave a list covering the period 1st August, 1945, to 1st April, 1947. Since the latter date gifts totalling in value some £1,500,000 have been received or promised from the Dominions for the Lord Mayor's Flood Relief Distress Fund, for use by the British Red Cross Society and the Women's Voluntary Services, and for other similar purposes. In this are included gifts both of money, and of food and clothing. I know that the House will wish to join me in expressing our sincere gratitude to the Governments, institutions and private citizens of the Dominions for their continuing generosity.
Lieut-Colonel David Rees-Williams
, Croydon South
What acknowledgment are His Majesty's Government making to the Dominions for their great generosity to this country?
Mr Arthur Bottomley
, Rochester Chatham
Suitable acknowledgment has been made to all the organisations and Governments for the gifts they have made.
Mr Ronald Ross
, County Londonderry
Is Eire making any contribution towards these gifts? May I have an answer to a very simple question?
Mr Arthur Bottomley
, Rochester Chatham
There is a long list of those who have donated.
Mr Ronald Ross
, County Londonderry
Is Eire on it?
Mr Arthur Bottomley
, Rochester Chatham
There are many organisations. Whether there is in Eire a similar organisation to some of the institutions which contributed from other Dominions, I could not say at this moment.
Mr Hector Hughes
, Aberdeen North
As regards the latter date which my hon. Friend has mentioned, would he intimate the nature and extent of the assistance given by each Dominion?
Mr Arthur Bottomley
, Rochester Chatham
It is a long list, and from time to time the Press has given reports. If necessary, of course, I will circulate the information, but I would much rather leave it as it is. I think that if we acknowledged that, it would avoid missing some.
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