§ 58. Mr. Awberyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, if he will make a statement on the return of the inhabitants to Tristan da Cunha; if the rehabilitation has been carried out successfully; and what further assistance is to be given to the island in the future.
§ Mr. SandysI am glad to say that the return of the islanders to Tristan da Cunha has been carried out successfully. The 198 islanders who left this country on 24th October were landed at Tristan da Cunha on 10th November and the landing of some 200 tons of furniture and stores was completed by 21st November.
The costs of resettling the island are being met in part by a loan from the Crown Agents for Oversea Governments and Administrations, until revenue from a stamp issue becomes available early in 1964. Her Majesty's Government, who had already guaranteed a loan of up to £12,000, proposes to increase the guarantee to a maximum of £22,000 and token provision will be inserted in a Colonial Office Estimate at the earliest opportunity.
The extent of assistance from colonial development and welfare funds will be decided when the development needs of Tristan have been assessed. Plans for improving the landing facilities and restocking the island with sheep are now being worked out.