§ 11.5 a.m.
§ The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. George Brown)With your permission, Mr. Speaker, and that of the House, I wish to make a statement on the Italian flood disaster.
The appalling damage caused by the Italian floods has evoked widespread sympathy in this country and a strong desire to help. This was deepened by this morning's news of still further floods, this time in the Po Valley. I should like to tell the House what has been, and is being, done.
Last week, Her Majesty's Government flew out to Rome 3,000 blankets from military stores in this country, and 20 large marquee tents. We looked into other ways of helping the Italian authorities; but, on being told that blankets were still one of their chief needs, we sent a further consignment of 3,000 blankets yesterday. We have also supplied large quantities of vaccine and hope to be able to send out some breeding cattle as a contribution towards repairing the enormous livestock losses which have occurred. The total cost of this governmental assistance to date is estimated at £20,000.
There has been a prompt response from British charitable organisations. For instance, the British Red Cross Society and the Save the Children Fund have sent blankets; OXFAM and the Save the Children Fund have sent clothes, while the British Red Cross has sent clothes from the Women's Royal Voluntary Service stocks; and the Save the Children Fund has also sent powdered milk and vaccine. The City of Edinburgh has come to the help of her sister City of Florence with supplies, including water pumps.
At the instigation of the British-Italian Society, a committee of distinguished 812 British art experts has been set up to consider what help can be given to make good the damage to the Italian artistic heritage, which is also the heritage of Europe and the world. Under the auspices of this committee an Italian Art and Archives Rescue Fund has been set up and an appeal for contributions was launched last night.
Meanwhile, I understand that all the organisations I have mentioned, as well as "War on Want" and Christian Aid, are prepared to receive financial contributions for the purpose of Italian flood relief.
The House will join with me in renewing heartfelt sympathy with our Italian friends in this disaster and in wishing most earnestly for as early a return as possible to normal conditions.
§ Lord BalnielIs the Foreign Secretary aware that in this country there is widespread understanding of the great cultural debt which we owe to the City of Florence? We have all been appalled to hear of the tragedy which has fallen on her people and the damage which has been done to her monuments, her pictures and her archives.
We are further distressed to hear that the flooding is apparently now more extensive than we had first realised. Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that it is important that this aid should be available on the spot at the earliest possible moment? May I express the hope that other countries, also, will be joining in a great international effort to bring relief to this stricken part of the world?
§ Mr. BrownI agree wholeheartedly with all that the noble Lord has said. As far as other countries are concerned, I know that Americans are also helping in this way and I believe others are. I hope that what I have said this morning will encourage other countries to come to the aid of Italy.
§ Mr. LubbockMay we associate ourselves with the expression of sympathy for the Italian people which the right hon. Gentleman has voiced? May I also ask him whether he has considered offering to send civil defence units to Italy to aid in the rescue operations and 813 the care of the victims in this terrible disaster?
§ Mr. BrownYes, Sir. I said in my statement that that was one of the first things I offered. The Italian authorities have let it be known that they do not need detachments of helpers from abroad, and they have declined the offer of British civil defence units. We are providing all that they think they need.