§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Lord Privy Seal what studies have been made in recent years of the feasibility of encouraging tourism on Ascension Island; and what specific developments have resulted.
§ Mr. RidleyI refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 11 December 1979—[Vol. 975, c.561]—in which I said that a preliminary survey report by consultants on tourism in both St. Helena and Ascension Island was being studied by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the St. Helena Government. We are still awaiting follow-up proposals from the St. Helena Government. The consultants engaged to review the operation of the shipping service are taking account of tourism potential. But there are many obstacles to be overcome before tourism could be developed, and I therefore see no possibility of early progress on this matter.
§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Lord Privy Seal what official studies have been made in recent years on ways of improving access to St. Helena for visitors and freight, including fuel supplies; and what specific improvements have in fact been made.
§ Mr. RidleyA study in 1973 determined that the unsuitable terrain and weather conditions ruled out the possibility of constructing an airfield on St. Helena. The decision in 1978 to provide the RMS "St. Helena" on the shipping service was a major improvement in securing access to the island. Consultants are at present reviewing the whole operation of the shipping service and their report is awaited.