HL Deb 28 June 1996 vol 573 cc80-2WA
Lord Judd

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their estimate of the humanitarian and economic short and long-term challenges generated by the eruption of the Goufriere Hills volcano in Montserrat; what is their evaluation of the emerging shelter programme and its administration; and what are the lessons to be drawn from the crisis.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

The challenges of maintaining life on Montserrat for those who do not wish to leave are varied, numerous and in many ways unique. The emergency shelter programme is typical of areas where we and the Government of Montserrat are tackling simultaneously short and long-term needs. It is too soon to evaluate formally the overall experience but lessons learned are continuously being fed back into further activities.