§ Mr. Whiteheadasked the Lord Privy Seal what is the population of Providenciales; and what proportion of the population is at present unemployed.
§ Mr. LuceThe total population of the Turks and Caicos Islands was put at some 7,500 in the 1980 census, including 980 residents of Providenciales. At the end of 1978—the latest year for which figures are available—there were 947 persons—12½ per cent. of the population—either totally unemployed or employed as rotation labour under Government relief schemes in the whole territory. On the island of Providenciales there were 40 persons—4 per cent. of the population—wholly or partially unemployed. Because of the lack of employment opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands, it is estimated that there are considerably more Turks and Caicos Islanders living and working overseas than in their home territory.
§ Mr. Whiteheadasked the Lord Privy Seal what calculations have been made as to the proportion of benefits from the desalination plant in Providenciales which will go to (a) hotel visitors and (b) the general population.
§ Mr. LuceThe desalination plant on Providenciales which the Club Méditerranée is to install will be maintained for the benefit of its hotel complex.
§ Mr. Whiteheadasked the Lord Privy Seal what concessions on bed tax and on loan terms for a desalination plant have been granted to the Club Méditerranée to facilitate the construction of a hotel complex on Providenciales.
§ Mr. LuceUnder the agreement between Club Méditerranée and the Turks and Caicos Government, $0.50 bed tax per tourist per night will be charged for the first five years of the company's operations. This represents a 50 per cent. concession on existing rates. Thereafter, Club Méditerranée will be charged 50 per cent. of the going rate, which the Turks and Caicos Government set at their own discretion.
One million dollars have been set aside out of the project allocation as a grant to the Turks and Caicos Government for use either to "onloan" to Club Méditerranée on ECGD-type terms for the purchase of British goods and/or to set against local costs, or alternatively as equity participation in the local holding company to be set up by Club Méditerranée. The Turks and Caicos Government, in consultation with Her
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Scheme Dates of Inquiry Inspector's Report Received A590 High Newton Diversion 3–11 April 1979 27 July 1979 A51 Tarvin South Western Bypass 25–28 September 1979 23 January 1980 A56 Accrington Easterly Bypass (Southern Section) 7–8 October 1980 20 November 1980 M65 Calder Valley Route Whitebirk-hyndburn section 4–6 November 1980 19 December1980 A57 Aston Relief Road 23–24 September 1980 15 October 1980 M42 Bromsgrove Section 19 June-20 July 1979 13 May-18 July 1980 10 October 1980 A6 Chapel-en-le Frith and Whaley Bridge Bypass 16 January-28 March 1979 9 August 1979 A45 Ipswich Bypass Southern and Eastern Section 8 July-26 September 1980 30 December 1980 M20 Maidstone-Chegworth 10–26 September 1979 12 December 1979 M25 Dorking Road-Reigate 12 February-7 March 1980 5 June 1980 A17 Swineshead Bypass 27–30 March 1979 12 July 1979 A52/A614 Junction Improvement, Nottingham 8–25 January 1980 4 June 1980 Majesty's Government, have yet to decide which course of action to follow. The desalination plant would qualify for loan financing only if of British manufacture.