Montserrat (Hansard, 15 July 2003)

§ Mr. Rosindell
To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what recent assessment he has made of the level of humanitarian aid reaching the people of Montserrat. [125322]

§ Hilary Benn
Our aid to Montserrat is in the form of development and budgetary assistance. Since the onset of the volcanic crisis, we have provided some180W £180 million. A further £45.6 million is available for disbursement over the UK financial year period 2003–04 to 2005–06, representing a 50 per cent. increase over the sum originally available for that period. All of the money is used to maintain essential services and to improve the lives and livelihoods of the people of Montserrat.

§ Mr. Rosindell
To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development if he will make a statement on disaster relief to Montserrat. [125993]

§ Hilary Benn
We provided substantial emergency assistance for Montserrat in the immediate aftermath of the volcanic crisis in the mid-1990s. This included provision of housing, essential services and infrastructure which had been lost or seriously damaged. Increasingly, our assistance is now geared towards other productive activity, which will help Montserrat towards its goal of renewed self-sufficiency. For example, a new airport to replace the one at risk from the volcano is now under construction and should become operational next year.
We were very concerned to learn about the recent volcanic events in Montserrat. DFID officials are in direct contact with the Montserratian authorities to assist in every possible way.

§ Mr. Rosindell
To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development if he will make a statement on the provision of housing in Montserrat. [125996]

§ Hilary Benn
The Government of Montserrat's policy is to make housing assistance available for all those on the island who are deemed eligible for it. We have devoted substantial resources in support of this policy and for provision of associated infrastructure to help Montserratians affected by volcanic activity. We and the Montserrat authorities will continue to keep those needs under close and regular review.