§ Sir Michael MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received regarding recent hurricane damage in the Caribbean; what has been Her Majesty's Government's response. [37899]
§ Mr. HanleyWe have received requests for relief assistance from the Governments of Anguilla, Antigua, Barbuda and the Commonwealth of Dominica.
The following commitments have been made:
17W
Country Purpose Amount committed £ Regional Mobilisation of Caribbean disaster relief unit asseaament mission 16,155 Anguilla Purchase of relief supplies 143,000
Country Purpose Amount committed £ Anguilla Subsistence costs of royal Marines 10,000 Antigua Anguilla disaster relief fund 100,000 Antigua Restoration of power supplies (Northern Ireland Electricity) 381,200 Baebuda Roofing repairs to hospital 5,000 Dominica Purchase/delivery of basic foodstuffs 250,000 In addition, soon after Hurricane Luis passed directly over Anguilla, the West Indies guardship, HMS Southampton, arrived to co-ordinate damage assessment and repairs. She was accompanied by her support ship RFA Oakleaf. Within 24 hours of HMS Southampton's arrival, the assessment was completed and repairs were under way. Work parties from the two ships were bolstered by the arrival of a party of Royal Marines, whose duties included support to the Royal Anguilla police force.
British forces were also able to make a major contribution in Antigua, where a party of Royal Marines was instrumental in reopening the airport and repairing Halberton hospital as well as undertaking a host of other tasks.
Regarding longer-term rehabilitation, we have invited Anguilla to submit proposals and are currently considering the needs of the affected independent states.