TRISTAN DA CUNHA (Hansard, 17 October 1961)

§ Mr. C. Hughes
(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the measures taken by Her Majesty's Government to assist the inhabitants of Tristan da Cunha following the disaster which has occurred on that island.

§ The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Reginald Maudling)
After the eruption on 10th October, the whole population was taken off in two fishing vessels belonging to the Tristan da Cunha Development Company, and transferred the next morning to the Royal Interocean liner "Tjisadane", which had offered to take them to Cape Town. At Cape Town, they will transfer to the Union Castle liner "Stirling Castle", which will bring them to this country. H.M.S. "Leopard" arrived at the island on 13th October and was able to recover a good deal of the islanders' movable property.
Arrangements are now in hand for the islanders' reception and accommodation here, but no decision will be taken regarding their resettlement until it is possible to consult them.
I am sure that the House would wish to express sympathy for the islanders in their misfortune.

Hon. Members
Hear, hear.

§ Mr. C. Hughes
Is the Colonial Secretary aware that the prompt action taken to evacuate the unfortunate population from this island is widely appreciated in this country? Will he say whether there is any fund in existence which could be used to compensate the islanders in whole or in part for the substantial losses which they have sustained? Is the Government aware of offers which have been made already, especially from parts of Scotland, to rehabilitate these people and to find work and homes for them? Will make a statement about that?

§ Mr. Maudling
Help was received by the islanders from many sources and I think that everyone is grateful for the work which has been done. There is a Tristan da Cunha Fund, with the Royal Commonwealth Society and the Royal Geographical Society as co-trustees, which has been reopened to help the islanders in their distress. I was interested in the suggestion about resettlement in Scotland. This and other helpful suggestions will be considered.

§ Mr. Callaghan
May I, first, congratulate the Colonial Secretary upon his assumption of office and wish him well in his task?
4 Is he aware that there will be a widespread feeling among all our people that we ought to give every help we can to the very brave people from Tristan da Cunha who have lost everything and have suffered complete desolation? May I press the right hon. Gentleman a little further about the funds which may be made avaliable? Does he not think that in the special circumstances the Government should consider inviting the Lord Mayor of London, or someone similar, to set up a national fund to which contributions could be made?
Can the right hon. Gentleman also tell us what reception facilities will be available to the islanders when they come here? Am I right in thinking that it will be a little over a fortnight before they land on these shores? Will he please take an assurance to these people from the whole House and from the country that they will be made very welcome and everything possible done to relieve their lot?

§ Mr. Maudling
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his opening remarks.
The Tristan da Cunha Fund has been reopened. There was a letter in The Times from Sir Irving Gane making this clear to the public. We will do all we can about resettlement and accommodation. It will take a little while for the islanders to arrive. Meanwhile, we will see what the position is. We must consult their own wishes first and it may take a little time to find out what their wishes will finally be.

§ Mr. Grimond
May I, also, congratulate the Colonial Secretary on assuming his office?
While I appreciate that we cannot make any references to these people until their own wishes are known, may I say to the right hon. Gentleman that I am grateful to him for saying that the question of resettlement in some parts of Scotland will be kept in mind? May I ask also whether it is clear that these people will definitely be unable to return to their own island?

§ Mr. Maudling
It is not yet clear as to the extent of the final destruction.

§ Mr. Speaker
Mr. Morris.

§ Mr. S. Silverman
On a point of order. I was attempting to catch your eye, Mr. Speaker, to put a supplementary question to this Question. Would this be the right time to do that?

§ Mr. Speaker
I thought it right to put a limit to supplementary questions. Although I always like to permit as many hon. Members as I possibly can to ask supplementary questions, I think that on this occasion we ought now to move on to the next topic.