HC Deb 12 May 1969 vol 783 cc946-7
3. Mr. Turton

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether he proposes to assist the construction of a deep-water harbour in Montserrat.

Mr. Oram

I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the reply by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to his similar Question on 5th May.

My Ministry has already given a good deal of assistance with feasibility studies. Our Development Division in the Caribbean is ready to discuss the matter further with the Government of Montserrat, including in particular the problems of financing the project.—[Vol. 783, c. 2.]

Mr. Turton

Can the hon. Gentleman explain why there has been all this delay? Ten months ago the British Development Commission produced a report on the project and said that it would be economically viable and urgently necessary as the landing, storage and delivery charges in Montserrat are twice as high as they are in Barbados.

Mr. Oram

I recognise that action in this matter since the production of the report has not been as swift as one might have wished. But there has been a gap in personnel there. In particular, there has not been a Substantive Financial Secretary. An appointment has now been made, so one can hope for quicker progress.