§ Mr. George Jegerasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether Her Majesty's Government proposes to make a contribution to relieve the distress caused by the recent cyclone in Ceylon.
§ Mr. BottomleyA cyclone hit Northern and Eastern Ceylon and particularly the Trincomalee area on 22nd December causing some 200 deaths and extensive damage to homes and crops as well as severe losses of fishing boats. Also virtually every vessel in Trincomalee Harbour was sunk or damaged. I am sure that the House will wish to join me in expressing our sincere sympathy to the people of Ceylon.
To demonstrate our sympathy Her Majesty's Government provided immediate aid, mainly in the form of tents and drugs, to a total direct value, including air transport, of £26,000. These relief supplies were provided by the Army and flown in by the R.A.F. within 3 days of the Ceylon Government making their firm requirements known to us.
Parliament will be asked in due course to approve a supplementary estimate.