§ 13. Sir E. Erringtonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is aware that, as the result of the building of the airstrip at Mahé in the Seychelles, a number of householders have had their homes compulsorily acquired with inadequate compensation resulting in their inability to find alternative accommodation; and if he will take steps to help in these circumstances.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. William Whitlock)Compensation for the acquisition of land required for the airport was carefully assessed in each case, and all owners had the opportunity of recourse to a statutory arbitration board. Compulsory acquisition notices were served on 59 property owners. Eighteen accepted compensation without dispute, one case has been decided by the board, and 23 others have been settled by amicable agreement. There are special circumstances in the outstanding cases, and they will be decided by the arbitration board.
The Governor has assured my right hon. Friend that the maximum possible assistance was given to those who had to move from their homes.
§ Sir E. ErringtonIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the local island government has denied any legal obligation at all to rehouse, and, in the case of Pointe la Rue, has he heard that families are living in the open under rocks, and in some cases in business premises?
§ Mr. WhitlockMy information is that all those families who required assistance and resettlement were given it in the form of free transport, free labour, and, in most cases, free material to enable them to move their houses, while those tenants 11 who did not receive compensation and those families who had been unable to make alternative plans were settled on Government housing estates. Many of the families have been living in this accommodation for as long as six or seven months rent free, but permanent resettlement arrangements are being implemented as rapidly as circumstances permit.