§ Mr. Pavittasked the Minister for Overseas Development (1) if she has taken action to provide first-aid and subsequent rehabilitation consequent upon the disaster which took place on 23rd September 1977 in the Caribbean Associated State of Dominica;
(2) what representations she has made to the United Nations about the need to give speedy help through the natural disaster arrangements to meet the effects of the devastating damage and deaths caused by the hurricane and torrential rains in Dominica.
§ Mr. Tomlinson:The damage caused by last month's rainstorm was not widespread, but a landslide on 20th September killed 13 people and injured others in the village of Bagatelle.
The scale of the damage does not justify United Nations help, nor have the Government of Dominica asked us to seek it.
The British Government Representative has however made an initial contribution of EC$2,000 (£425) to the Dominica Government's disaster fund, and the British Development Division in Barbados stands ready to help if so requested.
§ Mr. Pavittasked the Minister for Overseas Development if she will publish in the Official Report the funds donated to the Caribbean Associated State of Dominica in each of the last five years for the building of road building programme that has actually been completed.
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§ Mr. Tomlinson:Grants totalling £1,400,000 were approved for road building and improvements as follows:
Financial year … … … £'000 1972–73 … … … 432 1973–74 … … … 324 1974–75 … … … 232 1975–76 … … … 158 1976–77 … … … 254 Disbursements totalled £1,133,000 (i.e. 81 per cent. of the total approved).
In view of the different types of assistance provided by various donors, it is not possible to identify a specific road building programme against which progress can be measured in percentage terms.