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Volume 8 1945~1948

Doc No.
Date
Subject

No. 130 NAI DFA 419/1/13

Memorandum by Department of External Affairs
'Proposed Scheme of Distribution of European Relief for Financial Year 1946-47'
(419/4)

Dublin, 8 June 1946

  1. At the meeting of the Government held on the 8th February1 it was decided that provision should be made for the expenditure of an additional sum of £1,500,000 in the financial year 1946-47 to cover the cost of certain specified supplies for the relief of distress in Europe. The allocation of these supplies was deferred for further consideration and re-submission by the Minister for External Affairs.
  2. The supplies included in the 1946-47 programme may be conveniently divided into three categories, viz., livestock, foodstuffs, wool and blankets, and certain surplus Government stores. Inter-departmental discussions have taken place on the best way of apportioning these supplies and it has been decided to recommend the following allocation.
  3. Cattle: The total quantity available is 18,000 head. Working on the basis of the depletion of the cattle population in various countries during the war and on the possibilities of transport it has been decided to offer 2,000 head to each of the following seven countries:

    Country 1945 Cattle Population as percentage of 1939 figures
    Poland 31
    Hungary 37
    Yugoslavia 46
    Austria 75
    Czechoslovakia 81
    Germany - British Zone 91
    Germany - US Zone 97
    It is proposed to defer consideration of the disposal of the remaining 4,000 head of cattle until, on receipt of the responses to the offer made to the above seven countries, the prospects of cattle being taken by necessitous countries can be accurately estimated.
    Horses: Allocation of the 5,000 horses included in this programme is being postponed until the needs of the various countries are more precisely known.
  4. Foodstuffs, Wool and Blankets: It is proposed to allocate these supplies in the proportion of 15% to Italy, 10% to the Intr'Aide Française and the remaining 75% to the International Red Cross.

    Italy is still very badly off and in view of the representations by the Holy Father it is desirable to continue to send relief supplies to that country. At the same time, as Italy will benefit from the supplies put at the disposal of the International Red Cross, 15% is regarded as an adequate direct allocation.

    While conditions in France have improved as compared with a year ago it was felt that a certain quantity of supplies should be given to the Intr' Aide Française in response to representations received from that body. The Intr'Aide Française is a well-run benevolent organisation which caters for the needs of the poor and will see that supplies are used to alleviate genuine distress.

    The International Red Cross has done excellent work with the supplies placed at its disposal last year and can be relied upon to make the best possible use of those it receives under the current programme. As conditions in central, western and south-eastern Europe are extremely bad and the International Red Cross has access to those regions it is proposed that the bulk of the supplies (75%) should be made available to it. A draft plan already submitted by that organisation provides for the distribution in the following ten countries of the supplies received:- Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania and Yugoslavia; and those countries where conditions are worst will receive the greatest share - Germany, Poland, Yugoslavia and Hungary.

    Holland and Belgium which were included in last year's allocation are now relatively well off and do not require any relief supplies under the programme for the current year.

  5. Surplus Government Stores: These stores consist of mattresses, household utensils and certain clothing. There is a very serious shortage of these commodities in the countries covered by the International Red Cross distribution plan. It is consequently proposed to offer all the available supplies to that body.2

1 See above No. 79.

2 Marginal note: 'Approved by Taoiseach on 8/6/46'.

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