HC Deb 29 October 1992 vol 212 cc791-2W
Mr. Wells

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the outcome of the review of policy and management of the Caribbean dependent territories.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I have reviewed our policy towards, and the management of, our business with the Caribbean dependent territories—Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Montserrat and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Our record in assisting the economic development of these territories is good, but their economies are weak. They need to attract more sound private investment, and to develop their infrastructures, so as to stand more securely on their feet. Sustained economic progress will only come through the strengthening of good government.

I have decided that we should make changes in our existing arrangements for these territories. As the Minister responsible, I will chair a ministerial board of management for the territories to bring together those Government Departments and agencies which have a part to play in the territories' affairs to improve co-ordination within Whitehall. A new secretariat for the territories will be set up in the region to co-ordinate all official funding programmes and provide on-the-spot support and advice for Governors and territory Governments.

We wish to encourage the elected Governments of the territories to work closely with us in a spirit of partnership and common enterprise. Our Governors will play a vital part in achieving that aim.

I also propose to introduce jointly agreed country policy plans for each aid-receiving territory. The Governments of the territories will have an important say in drawing up these plans, in discussions with governors and the regional secretariat. Together they will agree the priorities for development and improvements needed in the administration of the territories over a three-year period, to be reviewed annually. These plans will represent a joint public commitment by the British and dependent territory Governments to the future development and good government of the territory.

I believe that these measures will significantly strengthen our ability to assist the Caribbean dependent territories in their efforts to develop their economies and societies in an increasingly challenging environment.