Grenada

Oral Answers to Questions — Overseas Development – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 14 November 1983.

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Photo of Mr Nigel Spearing Mr Nigel Spearing , Newham South

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will ask his Department to prepare a report on the priority development needs of Grenada.

Photo of Mr Timothy Raison Mr Timothy Raison , Aylesbury

The Government have already announced their intention to make available capital assistance and technical co-operation for reconstruction and economic development in Grenada.

A team of advisers from the British development division in the Caribbean has visited the country to assess priority development needs. Their report has only just arrived, and I shall be studying it promptly.

Photo of Mr Michael Welsh Mr Michael Welsh , Doncaster North

I thank the Minister for that reply. Is he aware that when this escapade is over the kiddies in Grenada will have to pick up all the pieces and put them together, and that one would therefore expect the people of Grenada to request further aid from this Government? Will the Minister assure us that, if that call for further aid comes, it will be looked at and given, and that it will come from the reserve funds and not from the small amount that is at present available under overseas aid?

Photo of Mr Timothy Raison Mr Timothy Raison , Aylesbury

The aid, of course, will come out of our budget. As I have already said, we are prepared to consider priority needs for development. In doing so, we also have to take into account other donors and their potential contributions.

Photo of Mr Nigel Spearing Mr Nigel Spearing , Newham South

Although the prospect of renewed Government aid to Grenada is welcome, is the Minister aware that Sir Paul Scoon told my hon. Friend the Member for Cynon Valley (Mr. Evans) and myself the other day that, in his view, one of the most urgent needs now in Grenada is the maintenance of Government services and provision of the wherewithal for the Government to pay their servants so that services continue to be available to the people of Grenada? Will he look at the matter and see what the Government can do?

Photo of Mr Timothy Raison Mr Timothy Raison , Aylesbury

I am aware that there is an immediate cash problem in Grenada, but I repeat that there are other major aid donors, notably the United States, who are also prepared to help. We must judge what is the most effective way of using any assistance that we can give.

Photo of John Maples John Maples , Lewisham West

When my right hon. Friend is considering Grenada, will he also consider our aid policy in general in the Caribbean, and ensure that one of the objectives of that policy is to ensure that the Marxist takeover that took place in Grenada does not happen elsewhere?

Photo of Mr Timothy Raison Mr Timothy Raison , Aylesbury

I have sympathy with what my hon. Friend says. We do consider carefully and regularly our aid policy in that part of the world.

Photo of Mr Ioan Evans Mr Ioan Evans , Cynon Valley

As the civilian airport at Port Salines is now 85 per cent. completed, and as British firms such as Plessey are involved in the contract, will the Minister see what can be done by the Government to ensure that the airport is completed, because it is essential for future tourism on the island?

Photo of Mr Timothy Raison Mr Timothy Raison , Aylesbury

I accept that the airport needs to go ahead. The Department of Trade and Industry is in close touch with Plessey on the matter.

Photo of Mr Robert Banks Mr Robert Banks , Harrogate

Does my right hon. Friend agree that any upward revision of aid to Grenada will not entail any cutback in aid to other islands in the Caribbean?

Photo of Mr Timothy Raison Mr Timothy Raison , Aylesbury

Yes, Sir, in the immediate future. However, every year we have to look at our aid programme as a whole and make judgments about priorities.