§ 3.37 p.m.
§ VISCOUNT SWINTONMy Lords, perhaps I might intervene for a minute or two to make here a statement which the Home Secretary is now making in another place. It is as follows:
"A meeting of Ministers under my chairmanship"—
that is, the chairmanship of the Home Secretary— "was held this afternoon to consider reports from the damaged areas. The most up-to-date information is that there are 220 reported dead but there is no exact information as to the number of missing, though several hundred people are believed to be missing. Some 30,000 people are believed to have left their homes, of whom some 6,000 are in rest centres, the remainder having found accommodation of their own. It is reported this morning that the floods are slowly subsiding, except in the case of Lincolnshire.
"The police report that no persons are now in danger in Canvey and Foulness Islands.
"The local measures for relieving distress are proceeding satisfactorily. The Government are concentrating their attention primarily on co-ordinating measures for repairing the breaches in the sea and river defences as quickly as possible and according to a system of priorities. The important thing is to get the emergency repairs carried out as quickly as possible, and 148 the cost of work which can properly be regarded as emergency work will be met by the Exchequer. Financial control appropriate to these serious circumstances will be instituted as soon as possible.
"The greatest use is being made of members of the Armed Forces, who are being deployed as and when use can be made of their services. I should like to take this opportunity of expressing my appreciation of the help which has been given by the United States Service authorities in this country, and of putting on record our sympathy with the relatives of the United States airmen who lost their lives—if that is confirmed. The various civilian services of this country, to whom tribute was paid yesterday, are continuing to give most efficient help. So far as can at present be foreseen, there is no shortage of the necessary labour. Many offers of help have been received from Commonwealth countries and from France, for which Her Majesty's Government are very grateful.
"Except in a few cases, the essential services, such as gas, electricity, water and fuel, are working, and all possible steps are being taken to make good any deficiencies. Food supplies are adequate.
"The Government have decided to make no charge in respect of parcels of clothing sent through the post to the depôts named in the public announcement and similar arrangements have been made in respect of bedding sent by rail to such depôts.
"The Government recognise the importance of repairing the damaged houses so as to enable people to return to their homes, and the matter will be tackled as soon as the flood conditions permit and as soon as the necessary repairs to the sea defences are in a more advanced state."
§ EARL JOWITTMy Lords, I am greatly obliged to the noble Viscount for making that statement to us.