§ 5. Dr. TongeWhat progress has been made on a sustainable development plan for Montserrat; and if she will make a statement. [23862]
§ Clare ShortDiscussions have taken place at official level on the basis of an initial Government of Montserrat draft of the sustainable development plan. A revised draft will be circulated for comments in a few weeks' time. We are working on a plan for meeting the needs of those on the island while the volcano is active—as the hon. Lady knows, we do not know how long that will be—and we are also taking account of the longer-term investment needs once the volcanic activity has abated.
I want to take this opportunity to inform the House that I have approved £1.3 million in budgetary aid to cover Government of Montserrat costs for the first quarter of this year, and £450,000 to support small and medium-scale enterprises on Montserrat, to help people to be self-sufficient. That brings my Department's total commitment to the island to £51 million since the crisis began.
I have also approved £410,000 to help Montserratian small businesses on Antigua; and this week, because of the need to relocate from the central region, we are providing for 50 more houses and sites for 150 houses, some of which will be used for self-build.
§ Dr. TongeDoes the Minister accept that while the volcano remains active there is a continuing threat to the people remaining on the island? There is a threat in the long term of damage to their lungs from the ash. There is also a threat of loss of life from an inadequate evacuation, should the volcano explode, as people try to get off the very temporary jetty.
335 Would it not be better to spend aid money on persuading people to leave and relocating them comfortably in Antigua, Britain or elsewhere, than to pour it into the northern tip of the island, which may, some say, benefit the rich landowners of Montserrat more than the people themselves?
§ Clare ShortAs the hon. Lady knows, I am desperately concerned to ensure that all the people living on Montserrat understand the danger that the ash poses to their lungs. We have taken scientific advice, but no one knows exactly what will happen. We are monitoring people's health, but there is a link with silicosis, which is extremely serious.
We can get scientific risk projections, but the volcano is extremely unpredictable and there could be an explosion that leads to loss of life in the central zone. So I have been putting enormous effort into a public education programme to get people to understand the risks and the support that is available to enable them to come to Britain, relocate in the Caribbean or remain in the north of the island. I share the hon. Lady's concern that that communication has not been as effective as it should have been. I promise her that I will do everything in my power to make sure that it is.
§ Ms AbbottWill the Secretary of State accept my thanks and the thanks of the many thousands of Monserrat evacuees living in Hackney and thereabouts for the extra aid that she has announced today? Will she bear in mind that the people still on Monserrat are aware of the risks? They are covered in ash and see the smoke every day. People in Monserrat and evacuees in my constituency tell me that, as long as it is possible to live in the north, the people still on the island want to maintain a community on Montserrat. They are passionate about some kind of stable development for Montserrat. I am sure that she is aware of that.
§ Clare ShortThere are a number of evacuees from Monserrat in Ladywood. I know that what my hon. Friend says is true. I agree that there are people who wish to remain on the island. Elderly people, for understandable reasons, are less keen to relocate. I have never had any wish to tell people on Montserrat what to do. I am enormously keen that they understand the risks and the choices and that they really can choose which is the best solution for them. Our communications could still be better so that people really understand the risks and that no one is taking a political position. Some people have been led to believe that that is not the case.
§ Sir Alastair GoodladIs the right hon. Lady aware that the Select Committee's report on Monserrat was published as long ago as 18 November 1997? It would be helpful to confidence in Monserrat as well as to the House if she could produce an early Government response. When might it be available? Is she also aware that the criticisms of the Government's strategy for Monserrat were recently echoed by the Chief Minister, giving rise to unease among hon. Members on both sides of the House that confidence among the people and in the Government of Montserrat in the Government's handling of the emergency is at a 336 low level? Could she give some forecast of her response to the question of sustainable development or otherwise in the north of Monserrat?
§ Clare ShortYes, I am conscious of the Select Committee report. I gave a large amount of evidence to the Select Committee. It is an excellent report and the analysis that it contains is very much in tune with the evidence that I put before the Committee.
Montserrat is a complex emergency because the volcano's behaviour has been unpredictable and has constantly changed. Great parts of the island have become uninhabitable bit by bit. Most of the activity occurred when the previous Government were in office. It has never been possible to plan for the position that faces us now because the volcano's behaviour has changed.
I am aware of some of the statements made by the Chief Minister. Some of them are highly political. My concern remains that the people of Montserrat know the truth about the risks that they face and the commitment of the British Government. Our response to the Select Committee will be ready soon. There is to be a debate in the House, in which my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State will participate. I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that we are determined to do everything that we can to protect the interests of the people of Montserrat. This is an ever-changing emergency. We are just evacuating zone 3 and many people in quality houses are having to move again. That makes things very difficult.