§ Dr. MarekTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give figures in constant prices for grant in aid for St. Helena for the last 10 years for which figures are available; and what factors underlie the trends in these figures. [7072]
§ Mr. HanleyThe figures are:
£ thousand Cash prices 1995–96 prices 1987–881 2,300 3,378 1988–89 3,542 4,876 1989–90 3,904 5,023 1990–91 3,477 4,142 1991–92 3,414 3,839 1992–93 3,479 3,748 1993–94 3,495 3,659 1994–95 3,225 3,314 1995–96 3,560 3,560 1Earlier figures are not available on a consistent basis. UK grant in aid to St. Helena finances the difference between government budgetary recurrent expenditure and locally generated revenue. This varies between years due to a wide range of factors which can affect either the expenditure or the revenue side of the budget. It is a long-term aim to maximise the proportion of budgetary expenditure which is locally financed.
§ Dr. MarekTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent nationality was a factor in appointing a chief education officer in St. Helena. [7073]
§ Mr. HanleyIn July 1995 the St. Helena Government requested recruitment of a technical co-operation officer to fill the vacant post of chief education officer, in the absence of any sufficiently qualified St. Helenians who were available to take up the post. The recruitment process is under way. As for all other ODA-recruited posts, applicants are required to he either nationals of the European Economic Area or Commonwealth citizens who have an established right of abode and right to work in the United Kingdom.
§ Dr. MarekTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the total cost of the budgetary aid mission to St. Helena to negotiate grant in aid support. [7074]
§ Mr. HanleyThe cost is expected to he approximately £17,000.