§ Jane GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance his Department has provided to(a) Bermuda, (b) British Virgin Islands and (c) Cayman Islands in the past year; and if he will make a statement.[145786]
Mr. Gareth ThomasWe do not now provide direct development assistance to any of them. In the financial year 2002–03, however, we spent nearly £90,000 in the closing stages of British Virgin islands' graduation from 239W receipt of direct DFID support. This was mainly provision of advice on airport development and scholarships for overseas study. Both British Virgin Islands and Cayman Islands benefit indirectly from our regional support for Caribbean overseas territories, in areas such as environmental protection and disaster planning.