HC Deb 02 November 1949 vol 469 cc372-3
6 and 7. Mr. Gallacher

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) how many deaths occurred between 11th July and 31st July, 1949, in Sinkat, Sudan; and how many of these were due to starvation;

(2) what international relief organisations have entered the Condominium of the Sudan since June, 1949, and, in particular, on what date the Egyptian Red Crescent Society applied for permission to send a mission to the Sudan; on what date permission was granted; and what were the sizes of the delegation and the itinerary followed by it.

Mr. Mayhew

The hon. Member is misinformed. The number of deaths recorded in Sinkat between these dates this year was 28. None of these was due to starvation. No international relief organisation has entered the Sudan since June. The Egyptian Government proposed on 18th April to send an Egyptian Red Crescent Society Mission to the Sudan. The Sudan Government agreed on the same day on condition that details of the composition of the Mission and its proposed operations were first provided. In the event no such Mission visited the Sudan, but the Society's Secretary-General visited Khartoum, Erkowit, Sinkat and Port Sudan between 20th and 25th June.

Mr. Gallacher

Is the Under-Secretary aware that I received a long list from the Sudan of names of actual victims of starvation which was sent on to the Foreign Office?

Mr. Mayhew

I think that the hon. Member should check his sources of information.