§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) how many Falkland Islands-based firms which do not have outside ownership have received grants or loans from the Falkland Islands Development Corporation;
(2) how many firms have received grants or loans from the Falkland Islands Development Corporation since it was established; and how many of those firms have their head office in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. RentonThe Falkland Islands Development Corporation has provided assistance to 54 companies to date, both limited and sole traders, of which three have head offices in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Falklands Islands Development Corporation building projects are subject to planning control.
§ Mr. RentonYes. The Falkland Islands Development Corporation is subject to the same planning regulations as all other individuals and corporate bodies in the islands.
§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many houses for the permanent residents of the Falkland Islands have been built and are planned to be built under the auspices of the development corporation.
§ Mr. RentonThe Falkland Islands Development Corporation is not responsible for housing construction except in cases where accommodation is required in a remote location as an integral part of a project which is being assisted. Only one home has been built to date and this is occupied by permanent residents.
The corporation will shortly be considering a proposal for the creation of a wholly owned property development subsidiary which would undertake a programme of housing construction.
§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many seats on the board of the Falkland Islands Development Corporation are held by permanent local residents of the Falkland Islands.
§ Mr. RentonFive.
§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) how many jobs have been created by the Falkland Islands Development Corporation since its creation; and what was the average cost per job;
(2) how many construction jobs have been created by the Falkland Islands Development Corporation; and how many of these have been taken by permanent local residents of the Falkland Islands.
§ Mr. RentonIn view of the shortage of labour in the Islands, the Falkland Islands Development Corporation is not specifically required to create new employment560W opportunities and does not therefore maintain records of relevant information. However, I understand that assistance has been given in the establishment of three construction-related businesses with a total of five jobs, three of which are held by permanent local residents and two by immigrants who are now permanently resident
§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the ratio of public to private investment in the Falkland Islands Development Corporation investment
§ Mr. RentonAs at 31 December 1984 the ratio was 44. 5 per cent public to 55. 5 per cent private
§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list in the Official Report the chief executive, general manager and board members of the Falkland Islands Development Corporation, and what are the salaries of the chief executive and general manager.
§ Mr. RentonThe membership of the development corporation is as follows:
- Sir Rex Hunt—Chairman
- Mr D Taylor — Executive Vice Chairman (Chief Executive, Falkland Islands Government)
- Mr S Armstrong—General Manager
- Mr S Wallace
- Mr R Binnie
- Mr T Betts
- Mr N Watson
- Mr A Cameron
- Mr H Rowlands
- Mr M Gaiger
- Mr M Crosse
The salaries of the executive vice chairman and general manager are £34,500 and £21,700 respectively.