§ 71. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government will consider the desirability of evacuating the inhabitants of the Island of Tristan da Cunha, in view of the difficulty and cost of supplying them with the necessaries of life, for which provision has to be made in the Estimates, and having regard to the fact that the Island is of no commercial or strategic value?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Dr. Drummond Shiels)The question of evacuating the inhabitants of Tristan da Cunha has been considered from time to time, but owing to the opposition of the islanders to their removal, it has not been thought desirable to take any action in the matter. The charge on public funds, to which the hon. Member refers, is confined to the cost of providing occasional steamer calls for the purpose of carrying mails and supplies, which are paid for from private subscriptions.