§ The following Questions stood upon the Order Paper:
§ 69. Dame JOAN VICKERS: To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state the number of lives lost and the amount of damage caused by the recent floods in Hong Kong; and what action Her Majesty's Government will 1667 take to help restore prosperity to the colony.
§ 70. Mr. FISHERTo ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement about the recent flood disaster in Hong Kong.
§ 71. Mr. RANKINTo ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the Hong Kong disaster.
§ The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Frederick Lee)With permission, I will now answer Questions Nos. 69, 70 and 71 together. Exceptionally heavy rainfall—[Laughter.] I am surprised that hon. Gentlemen opposite find this a subject for laughter—on 12th-13th June caused serious flooding in low-lying areas and over 100 severe land-slides. Over 15 inches of rain fell in a period of 29 hours.
The provisional death-roll is 49, with an additional 11 persons presumed dead and 20 missing, and 61 persons have been injured. About 7,500 people are homeless or have been evacuated from damaged buildings and 41 boats have been reported sunk. Communications on Hong Kong Island have been disrupted and there has been extensive damage to roads, drains, waterworks and other public utilities, and to property.
Her Majesty's Forces in Hong Kong are giving all possible assistance in the work of rescue, relief and repair. As a token of their sympathy, Her Majesty's Government have decided to contribute £5,000 to the Colony's Community Relief Trust Fund.
I am sure that all hon. Members will wish to associate themselves with this decision. An advance is being obtained from the Civil Contingencies Fund pending submission of the necessary Supplementary Estimate.
§ Dame Joan VickersI thank the right hon. Gentleman for his reply. I am sure that all hon. Members will wish to offer their sympathy to the relatives of those who died.
Is the right hon. Gentleman absolutely certain that all necessary warnings are given to the population about changes in weather conditions? Will he in future try to see that the temporary buildings, in which so many of the people live, 1668 are now replaced by permanent buildings? Does he not think that £5,000 is a very small and inadequate amount to offer to such a loyal and faithful Colony?
§ Mr. LeeI am told that there is no actual shortage in the trust fund, which at present stands at about £100,000. I will keep closely in touch with the Governor about this, although I do not believe that there is any difficulty from the point of view of the supply of money.
To answer the hon. Lady's question about damage, there was extremely serious flooding in the low-lying urban areas of Hong Kong Island and in the new territories. I understand that the situation was aggravated by a number of very severe landslides.
Thirty permanent houses were destroyed and 32 were damaged, while 71 huts were destroyed and 129 were damaged. There has been a great problem of communications, but I understand that all essential supplies have been able to get through.
§ Mr. FisherWould the right hon. Gentleman agree that Hong Kong, which has helped itself so magnificently to work and prosper since the war, is now entitled to expect adequate financial assistance from us in the work of rehabilitation which will be necessary following this disaster? What plans has he for giving serious financial help, because the £5,000 which he announced really is derisory?
§ Mr. LeeI pointed out that there is no suggestion of there being a shortage of finance at the moment which might be holding up the restoration services. I also said that there is about £100,000 in the Trust Fund. From our communications with the Governor, I understand that finance is not a problem at the moment, although we are keeping closely in touch on this issue. If there are any ways in which we can be of further assistance the House may be assured that Her Majesty's Government will assist.
§ Mr. RankinIn sending our united sympathy to Hong Kong, would my right hon. Friend note that had the ordinary people of Hong Kong been housed in more substantial dwellings, instead of the fragile structures in which they are accustomed to living, there would have been very many fewer casualties than did, in fact, occur? Would he draw the 1669 attention of the Governor to this fact before rebuilding takes place?
§ Mr. LeeI have no reason to suppose that what my hon. Friend says is the case. Quite a number of permanent houses were destroyed. However, I am keeping closely in touch about the situation and if there are any new developments of the type mentioned by my hon. Friend, I will report them to the House.
§ Mr. David SteelWould my right hon. Friend say what technical assistance has been and will be given by the troops stationed in Hong Kong in any rescue and reconstruction work that may be necessary?
§ Mr. LeeI am not certain about the question of technical assistance. Troops are working with the civil authorities and have been working with them since the operation became necessary. I cannot at this stage go into detail on the technical points, but if my hon. Friend will put down a Question I will answer it.