§ 32. Mr. Luardasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what financial assistance is to be given by Her Majesty's Government for the construction of an airport in the Seychelles; when this construction will begin and end; and whether the rôle of this airport will be exclusively civil.
§ 36. Sir E. Erringtonasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether the building of the proposed airstrip at Mahé, Seychelles, has been commenced; what is the value of the work done to date; what is the anticipated total cost; and what is the approximate date of completion.
§ Mr. WhitlockHer Majesty's Government have agreed to meet the cost of constructing a civil airport. Estimates of costs are being examined and it is hoped that construction will begin before the end of this year; it is expected to take about two and a half years. It will be a civil airport and no other use is at present foreseen. But arrangements for its use for other purposes could without doubt be considered should the need arise.
§ 41. Mr. Henry Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what undertaking was given to the Government and people of the Seychelles on 48W the question of constructing a civil air-aport on the Seychelles in return for the transfer of three islands from the jurisdiction of the Seychelles to British Indian Ocean territory.
§ Mr. WhitlockI would refer the hon. Member to the undertaking given to the House on 30th November, 1965, when the then Secretary of State for the Colonies stated
Her Majesty's Government have agreed to meet the cost of building a civil airfield in Seychelles to provide a link with the Indian and African mainlands.and also to my reply today to Questions Nos. 32, 36 and 37.—[Vol. 721, c. 171.]