HC Deb 24 February 2003 vol 400 cc277-8W
Dr. Tonge

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what subjects she discussed with the Chief Minister of Montserrat during his recent visit to London. [98834]

Clare Short

We discussed Montserrat's progress towards self-sufficiency, including plans for a new airport, and future DFID support.

Dr. Tonge

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what financial resources her Department(a) allocated and (b) transferred to Montserrat in each year from 1998. [98835]

Clare Short

The figures are:

UK Financial Year Allocated(£000s)1 Disbursed(000s)2
1998–99 33,000 31,096
1999–2000 23,934 22,640
2000–01 24,100 20,811
2001–02 24,400 24,412
2002–03 120,000 220,000
1 Revised
2 Estimated outturn

In addition I recently set aside a total of £45.6 million for Montserrat over the period 2003–04 to 2000–06, which will bring our total assistance by 2005–06 to over £225 million since the onset of the volcanic emergency. This will represent, for the coming three years, an increase of around 50 percent. of the budget that was previously available to Montserrat over that period.

Source:

1. Departmental records.

2. Statistics on International Development, 2002.