HL Deb 21 May 1996 vol 572 cc87-8WA
Lord Beaumont

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What were the circumstances of the riot on St. Helena, reported in the Sunday Telegraph of 5th May.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

On 19th April a demonstration outside the Castle in Jamestown was organised to press demands for increased social security benefits. A number (about 60–70) of those demonstrators forced their way into the governor's office. They were eventually persuaded to leave: there was no damage to property or harm to the government servants involved. The ODA had sent an expert adviser on social security to St. Helena in March. He has recommended changes to the social security system on the Island which are being studied by the St. Helena Government.