§ 42. Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the total expenditure of his Department in the Falkland Islands over the most recent conveniently available period.
§ The Minister for Overseas Development (Mr. Timothy Raison)In the last financial year, approximately £10.5 million was disbursed from aid Votes and a further £2.24 million was paid out under the Falkland Islands war damage compensation scheme.
§ Mr. DalyellOverall, £2.75 million has been spent per soul—per Falkland Islander. Does it not demean both them and us when such difficulties are placed in the way of the Argentine bereaved going to the islands? What is the difficulty about cameras? Did not the Minister have cameras when he went? Did not she have a cavalcade of cameras when she went—
§ Sir Anthony FellWho is "she"?
§ Mr. DalyellDoes not this embarrassing refusal just make more bloodshed, in the form of a bee-sting attack, more likely?
§ Mr. RaisonThe hon. Gentleman knows perfectly well that his question has nothing to do with overseas development.
§ Mr. Bowen WellsMay I first warmly welcome the increase in overseas development expenditure in the Falkland Islands? Can my right hon. Friend say whether he has a programme for increasing overseas development expenditure in the other dependencies of Great Britain?
§ Mr. RaisonWe are very conscious of our responsibilities towards our other dependencies, including Gibraltar and the Turks and Caicos Islands. We bear in mind constantly the need to look after them. The record shows that we look after them very well.