§ Lord Swinfenasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Solomon Islands Government is financially able to maintain a satisfactory level of fuel stocks to service its export trade and internal fuel requirements; and, if not, what assistance they are providing. [HL1694]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalThere is currently no export trade, as all the large exporting companies left the country during the ethnic unrest which divided the country for most of last year, and they have not as yet returned. The Solomon Islands Electricity Authority (SIEA) can only buy fuel for its generators on a cash on delivery basis. In an attempt to generate income, the SIEA has told its customers that they will have to pay their bills within 15 days instead of giving them the usual month's grace. The Solomon Islands Government cannot afford to import fuel.
The British Government, along with other international donors, provides aid to other areas of the economy and has encouraged the Solomon Islands Government to draw up a national budget so that we can consider with it how best to move towards a more sustainable economy.