§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the latest information regarding the damages to the Nicaraguan economy and people by the recent hurricane; and what is the most urgent aid needed by the Nicaraguans, especially the English-speaking Nicaraguans on the Atlantic coast.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThe latest information we have is that 29,000 houses, 66 bridges, 24 roads and 300 schools were damaged or destroyed. One hundred and sixteen people are reported dead and 278 badly injured.
The most urgent aid required, particularly in the Bluefields area, is for contributions towards the replacement or major repair of housing which has suffered the most severe damage. We have given £60,000 to OXFAM for the supply of zinc sheeting to Bluefields. This would form part of the £250,000 which we have offered to Nicaragua for disaster relief.