§ 88. Mr. Bryant Godman Irvineasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement about the damage caused by the recent hurricane in Fiji.
§ Mrs. WhiteLarge areas of Fiji have been devastated by serious floods following the recent hurricane. I regret to say that twelve people are known to have died. Others have been injured or are missing and there is severe damage to housing and crops.
The flooded areas have been evacuated, relief supplies have been widely distributed, and a rehabilitation committee is being set up. Considerable assistance has been given by the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
As hon. Members will be aware, Her Majesty The Queen has sent a message of sympathy to the people of Fiji.
The latest reports from the Governor indicate that the emergency phase has now ended and that morale is high.
Her Majesty's Government has decided, as a gesture of sympathy, to make a token contribution of £5,000 to be added to the relief funds immediately available to the Governor. This amount is being advanced from the Civil Contingencies Fund and Parliamentary approval will be sought in due course for its reimbursement to the Fund.