HC Deb 17 May 1950 vol 475 cc1216-7
The Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)

With your permission, Mr. Speaker, I would like to make a short statement.

I think that the House will wish to know that I have sent the following message to Mr. St. Laurent, the Prime Minister of Canada: On behalf of my colleagues and myself I should like to convey to you the deep concern with which we have learned of the serious floods in Winnipeg. Please express our heartfelt sympathy with those who have suffered in the catastrophe. I am sure that all sides of the House would wish to be joined with His Majesty's Government in this expression of sympathy at this serious disaster.

Hon. Members

Hear, hear.

Mr. Eden

I am sure that the House will be glad that the Prime Minister sent that message. We have all watched with the deepest sympathy and concern this disaster to one of Canada's greatest cities. We would like to feel that we were doing something more. I do not know whether there is any other practical help or assistance we can give or whether the Government have considered that. Even if it were help only of a token kind we should like to send it, and I am sure the Prime Minister would, too. The only other thing that I would like to suggest is this: some of us will remember the generous messages of help and encouragement received during the war from the Canadian Parliament once or twice, when things were not very good for us, and I am wondering whether, in addition to the message which the Prime Minister has sent, it would not be appropriate for you, Mr. Speaker, to send a message to the Speaker of the Canadian Parliament on behalf of all of us in this House.

The Prime Minister

The right hon. Gentleman can be assured that if there is any assistance we can give to Canada in this disaster we shall certainly give it. I think that the other suggestion made by the right hon. Gentleman is a very good one.

Mr. Eden

Would you, Mr. Speaker, say whether you think that this suggestion might be carried out?

Mr. Speaker

I am in the hands of the House in this matter. If the House would wish me to send such a telegram I shall be delighted to do so.

Hon. Members

Hear, hear.

Major Legge-Bourke

Will the Prime Minister bear in mind that the Canadian Government supported the Lord Mayor's Fund for our flood victims in 1947, and that if we could forgo some of the food gifts from Canada in order to make some contribution I am sure those who suffered from floods in this country would be glad to support it?