§ 67. Mr. D. Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement with regard to the outbreak of fire at Hassa Heisa, Blue Nile Province, Sudan; and if he will say how much cotton was destroyed and whether the cause of the fire is known.
§ Mr. YoungerThe Financial Secretary to the Sudan Government made the following statement in the Sudan Legislative Assembly in answer to a similar question on 11th April
7WA preliminary and very rough estimate of the seed cotton lost as a result of the fire at Hassa Heisa ginnery is 70,000 large kantars completely destroyed and 5,000 large kantars badly damaged. The total estimated value of this seed cotton, all of which was insured, is very roughly £E2,100,000. The cause of the fire is still unknown.I understand that the fire spread very rapidly owing to a very strong wind, and in spite of great efforts by the ginnery staff and police troops, it was only brought under control after many hours.