§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Lord Privy Seal (1) what steps are being taken to repair and improve facilities for freezing fish and vegetables at St. Helena;
(2) what progress is being made in implementing the proposals of the St. Helena Fisheries Corporation for the development of the island's fish exports.
§ Mr. RidleyThe fisheries corporation presented investment proposals to the St. Helena Government in Novemmber 1980. The St. Helena Government have accepted these proposals and are seeking finance for an additional blast freezer (which would also have capacity for vegetables) together with improvements to the landing jetty and associated premises. We are expecting to receive shortly details of these proposals which will then be evaluated as part of Her Majesty's Government's development aid programme to the territory.
§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Lord Privy Seal what response there has been from St. Helenians to the prospect of work in the Falkland Islands advertised last year; how the scheme is progressing; and what steps have been taken to remove possible difficulties over the provision of return passages.
§ Mr. RidleyThe Falkland Islands' Government have drawn up a draft memorandum of agreement and a draft contract of service covering a proposed pilot scheme. Both documents which make provision for return passages are under consideration by the St. Helena Government.
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§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Lord Privy Seal what improvements are planned in shipping services and bunkering facilities for St. Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha.
§ Mr. RidleyInvestigations are currently being carried out into the possible re-routing of the RMS "St. Helena" to provide more frequent access to St. Helena and Ascension. The need for improved bunkering facilities has also been taken into consideration. Future shipping services to Tristan Da Cunha are also being reviewed in this context.