HC Deb 30 May 1952 vol 501 cc197-8W
Sir R. Glyn

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the general position in Jamaica concerning the reconstruction of buildings destroyed or damaged in the hurricane of last year; how much of the United Kingdom grant has been spent; how much was covered by insurance or from local resources; and whether in particular the barracks of the Jamaica Battalion have been rebuilt under War Office arrangements.

Mr. Hopkinson

A. Housing.

  1. (i) Over 40,000 families have received assistance under the Emergency Building Supplies Scheme towards repairing their homes; the total spent or committed to this scheme is £500,000, of which £250,000 is a grant from H.M.G., £200,000 is from the Governor's Hurricane Relief Fund and £50,000 is from Jamaica revenues. Any further money required will come from Jamaica revenues.
  2. (ii) The Rural Aided Self-help Scheme provides for approximately 7,000 housing units of standard design to be erected on sites provided by applicants. The scheme will be 198 financed by a loan of £300,000 and a grant of £550,000 from H.M.G.
  3. (iii) The construction of approximately 3,000 one-roomed houses is planned under the Urban Housing Scheme which will be financed by a loan of £260,000 and a grant of £340,000 from H.M.G.
  4. (iv) A loan of £400,000 from H.M.G. provides for loans of from £25 to £200 to help other householders to repair their homes.
  5. (v) A grant of £100,000 and a loan of £50,000 from H.M.G. have been allotted for the construction of stores and workshops and for administrative expenses.

The Government of Jamaica hope to begin the construction of housing units by October. The tribunal which is considering applications for assistance should have completed its work by then.

So far about £8,000 has been spent from H.M.G.'s grant in preparatory work and £25,000 has been spent or committed from H.M.G.'s loan on construction of stores and workshops; £175,000 has been spent on materials.

B. Insurance. The Jamaica Government do not know how many houses were insured or how much was paid out against claims but insurance payments will be taken into account in considering applications under the rehousing schemes.

C. Barracks. Good progress has been made in rebuilding the barracks of the Jamaica battalion.

D. Denominational Schools. A grant of £150,000 from H.M.G. has been approved towards the repair of denominational schools. It is estimated that the amount due from insurance on the schools is about £38,725.

E. Public buildings, roads and bridges. A grant of £42,000 from H.M.G. has been approved to meet 35 per cent. of the cost of reconstructing Government buildings, roads and bridges. The remaining 65 per cent. and the entire cost of repairing buildings and roads maintained by the local authorities will be met from Jamaican funds. A grant of £80,000 from H.M.G. has been approved towards the cost of repairs at the University College of the West Indies.