§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list, by value of assistance, the fishing projects being supported by the St. Helena Development Agency. [22035]
§ Mr. HanleyNo fishing projects are being supported by the St. Helena development agency.
§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what have been the costs to public funds of supporting the operation of RMS St. Helena in each of the past five years. [22043]
§ Mr. HanleyThe cost of the shipping subsidy and associated costs in each of the last five financial years is:
- 1991–92: £0.920 million
- 1992–93: £1.389 million
- 1993–94: £1.071 million
- 1994–95: £1.152 million
- 1995–96: £1.346 million (estimate)
§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) how many(a) females and (b) males normally resident in St. Helena have commenced higher education courses (i) on the island and (ii) overseas in each academic year since 1990; [22030]
(2) how many (a) female and (b) males normally resident in St. Helena have commenced higher education courses (i) on the island and (ii) overseas in each of the most recent five years for which figures are available. [22031]
§ Mr. HanleyAll higher education courses have commenced in the United Kingdom. The numbers are:
Academic year Male Female 1990–91 1 8 1991–92 — 5 1992–93 7 7 1993–94 4 5 1994–95 1 9 1995–96 2 5
§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what constraints have been removed on fisheries under the St. Helena five-year development plan. [22032]
§ Mr. HanleyThe principal constraints to the development of an economically viable local fishery at St. Helena are related to its isolated location and to the limited natural resource base available for exploitation. St. Helena's geographical isolation does not permit easy or rapid access to markets, and the lack of a safe haven with associated vessel maintenance facilities precludes the operation of larger locally based fishing vessels. The Overseas Development Administration has worked closely with the Government of St. Helena, the St. Helena Fisheries Corporation and the island's fishing community418W to promote the development of a viable small-scale commercial fishery. To this end, the Administration, since 1978, has invested more than £3 million in a series of technical assistance and development aid projects. The Fisheries Corporation is now considering how best to expand throughput to meet demand and to develop its export marketing strategy further.
§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the staff employed by the St. Helena development agency who have previously worked with British development agencies, indicating for how long each employee worked for the relevant agency. [22036]
§ Mr. HanleyNo staff employed by the St. Helena development agency have previously worked with British development agencies.
§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the expert staff for key posts on St. Helena who are provided by the British Government. [22042]
§ Mr. HanleyThe key posts provided by the British Government are:
- Mr. David Smaliman: Governor
- Mr. John G. Penott: Chief Secretary
- Mr. Robert J. Penott: Financial Secretary
- Mr. David Jeremiah: Attorney General
- Mr. Kenneth Jones: Chief Auditor
- Mr. Chris Lomas: Chief Agricultural and Forestry Officer
- Dr. John Sharpe: Chief Medical Officer
- Mr. Keith Jones: Chief Engineer
ODA is also funding the costs of an additional 13 expatriates working within St. Helena Government Departments.
§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what budgetary aid by category he is providing to St. Helena during the current financial year. [22044]
§ Mr. HanleyThe budgetary aid provision for St. Helena in 1995–96 is £3.56 million. This is a single grant in aid intended to supplement the St. Helena Government's overall public expenditure budget.
§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what non-governmental organisations have been established on St. Helena for electricity and water supplies. [22039]
§ Mr. HanleyNone. However, the St. Helena Government are currently considering a consultancy report which may lead to a restructuring of the electricity and water undertakings.