Ascension Island

Part of the debate – in Westminster Hall at 10:34 am on 15 February 2006.

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Photo of Douglas Alexander Douglas Alexander Minister of State (Europe) 10:34, 15 February 2006

Let me deal with the specific issue of the right of abode. Where Ascension Island is unique and can be distinguished from St. Helena is that all those working and living on the island are there only because they or their families are employed by one of the users. The administrator of Ascension has authority to grant permission to enter and remain on the island, and employees of the users and their families are entitled to enter and remain on Ascension for the duration of their employment contract. On the termination of their contract with a user, they are required by Ascension Island law to leave. There is, therefore, no general entitlement to enter or remain on Ascension Island, nor has there ever been under British rule.

The hon. Member for Twickenham argued that the Government raised false hope for the people living and working on Ascension—a point also raised by Bob Russell—by giving them the impression over the last six years that they would be granted a general right to remain and own property on the island, separate from employment with a user. I shall set out the chronology surrounding consultations on this issue to explain how the Government reached their decision, as set out by Lord Triesman in his letter of 19 January, not to allow the development of these rights.