HC Deb 02 June 1931 vol 253 cc34-5
67. Miss RATHBONE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the distressed condition of the inhabitants of the island of Tristan da Cunha, owing to the increasing infrequency of calls from ships on which the island is dependent for supplies; and whether he can do anything to promote more regular means of communication?

Dr. SHIELS

Attention was called at the end of last year to a reported shortage of flour, sugar and other necessaries among the inhabitants of Tristan da Cunha, and arrangements were at once made for a vessel to call there to take supplies which had been collected to the islanders. As has been done in recent years, provision has been included in the Estimates presented to this House to cover the cost of a call at the island next spring.