UNRRA

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24897, 10 June 1946, Page 5

UNRRA

M.P. CRITICISES DISTRIBUTION SPECIAL INVESTIGATION PROPOSED (N.Z Press Association—Copy right.) (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, June 7. “Although they are reasonably priced, butter and cheese, which are rationed in Britain, can be purchased legally in Italy. UNRRA last year shipped into Italy 18,000 tons of dairy produce,” said Captain A. E. Marples (Conservative) in the House of Commons. “UNRRA or a higher authority like the United Nations should exercise a stricter control over the distribution. There would then be greater sympathy from the producing countries. “UNRRA’s activities should be above suspicion. I am told that in China UNRRA is charged with corruption. In effect they are no more than highly organised selling agencies for American goods, particularly luxury articles, which, for some reason, form a large part of UNRRA’s shipments,’’ he added, urging the British Government to ensure that there would be an investigation.

Replying, the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affiairs (Mr Hector McNeil) said that UNRRA in Italy, as in other receiving countries, made representations regarding the control and distribution of supplies. A special unit had been established in Italy in the last fortnight to investigate, with the Government, reports of black market activities. An international unit was being formed to. inspect the distribution of UNRRA supplies.