§ Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the results of the cyclone which struck the west coast of Mauritius during 36 hours on 18th and 19th January last; and what assistance to the inhabitants is proposed from Government funds.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodI regret to say that Mauritius was struck by a severe cyclone on the 18th and 19th January. Eight people were reported killed and over 100 injured. Some 11,000 houses were destroyed and a further 9,000 rendered uninhabitable. Extensive damage was done to communications and power supplies. It is provisionally estimated that the 1960 sugar crop will be reduced by about 15 to 20 per cent. and the loss will be nearly £4 million.
Restoration of essential services has made good progress. Families involved have been accommodated in refugee centres and railway coaches, and iron and pole shanties are now being erected to provide temporary accommodation.
The Governor has opened a relief fund to which Her Majesty's Government have agreed to make a donation of £15,000, as a token of their sympathy. 65W A Supplementary Estimate for this sum will be presented at the earliest convenient opportunity and in the meantime the necessary funds will be issued from the Civil Contingencies Fund. Three Mauritian Ministers will be in London by Friday, 12th February to discuss possible ways and means of obtaining further help towards a rehabilitation programme.