FIRST REPORT
The International Development Committee has agreed
to the following Report:-
MONTSERRAT
INTRODUCTION
1. In August 1997 the crisis in Montserrat resulting
from volcanic activity was more grave than it had been at any
point in the preceding two years. On 25 June 1997 the first fatalities
had occurred, nineteen persons dying in pyroclastic flows. By
August scientists had revised their forecasts of future volcanic
activity and advised that the central zone of Montserrat had to
be evacuated, leaving only 36 square kilometres habitable in the
north. The United Kingdom Government[1]
responded to events with further development aid and the announcement
of schemes to assist those Montserratians wishing to relocate
to the United Kingdom or to elsewhere in the Caribbean. This
did not, however, prevent considerable public concern and media
discussion of apparent policy and administrative confusion in
HMG, accusations of too little aid too late, questions over the
future of the island, and criticism of the conditions Montserratians
were having to endure over an extended period in the temporary
shelters.
2. For nearly two years, from the beginning of
volcanic activity in July 1995 to 1 May 1997, the previous United
Kingdom Government was responsible for Montserrat. They must,
therefore, bear responsibility for the shortcomings identified
in this Report. Since 1 May 1997 continuing failures must of
course be the responsibility of the current administration.
3. Since the crisis began £45.8 million
has been committed by the Department for International Development
(DFID) to Montserrat.[2]
This is a considerable proportion of DFID's resources. We therefore
decided to conduct an urgent inquiry into the current situation
in Montserrat. The Committee felt strongly that such funds should
be spent promptly and wisely and that appropriate measures be
taken to relieve hardship in Montserrat both immediately and in
the long term.
4. We are grateful to all who gave written evidence
to us during the inquiry. We also took oral evidence from the
Rt. Hon. Clare Short MP, Secretary of State for International
Development, Mr Barrie Ireton, Director-General (Programmes) and
Mr Andrew Bearpark, Head of the Emergency Aid Department (EMAD),
Department for International Development; from Baroness Symons,
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, and Mr Peter Westmacott,
Director, Americas Desk, Foreign and Commonwealth Office; from
the Hon. David Brandt, Chief Minister of the Government of Montserrat,
the Hon. Rupert Weekes, Minister of Communication and Works, and
Mr William Bramble, Special Adviser; from Mr Frank Savage, former
Governor of Montserrat, Professor Stephen Sparks, from the Montserrat
Volcano Observatory, and the Rev Gaulter de Mello, Mrs Daisy Aymer
and Mr Simon Maty, from the Coordinating Committee for the Welfare
of Evacuees from Montserrat. These witnesses were most helpful
in shedding light on what was an extremely complicated set of
circumstances. We were as indebted to those we met when visiting
Montserrat and Antigua in October. We include a list of all who
assisted us in Montserrat and Antigua with this Report. We were
grateful to the Governor of Montserrat, Mr Tony Abbott, and the
Resident Acting High Commissioner in Antigua, Miss Mary Maxwell,
for all they did to ensure that our visit was informative and
fruitful.
5. On 18 July 1995 volcanic activity began after
350 years of dormancy. The table below gives a brief account
of the development of this volcanic activity from 1995 to the
present with details of the various evacuations which have taken
place.
1995
|
18 July |
Resumption of volcanic activity after 350 years of dormancy.
|
28 July |
New volcanic vent opened. Long Ground Village evacuated
|
7-15 August |
Following a significant increase in volcanic activity, full evacuation ordered of villages in the east of the island, south of the airport, and southwest, south of Kinsale
|
21 August |
First major ash fall covers Plymouth. Evacuation of Plymouth and communities south of Richmond Hill. Governor moves office and residence. Large number of Montserratians go to Antigua.
|
Late August and early September
|
Two hurricanes strike Montserrat
|
7 September |
Administration returns to Plymouth and residents to all areas except the eastern villages
|
October |
Substantial increase in dome growth and major ash falls. Re-evacuation of Plymouth ordered.
|
November |
Some of eastern villages evacuated.
|
1 December |
First pryoclastic flow down Tar River valley. Eastern and southern villages again evacuated.
|
1996
|
January |
Return to Plymouth and evacuated villages
|
3 April |
Increased pyroclastic flow activity down the Tar River valley. Third evacuation of Plymouth. Although only expected to last a month, this evacuation is still in force.
|
17 September |
First explosive event of the volcano. Destruction of Long Ground village. Communities south of Belham River advised to evacuate.
|
1997
|
25 June |
Major pyroclastic flow almost reaches airport. Destroys villages in the East and parts of the Central Corridor. Nineteen die. Plymouth closed permanently and airport shut down.
|
4-8 August |
Explosions occur at roughly 12 hour intervals.
|
14 August |
Revision of scientists' volcanic threat assessment.
|
15 August |
Salem and neighbouring area declared unsafe for night time occupation.
|
5 September |
Salem area declared a total exclusion zone.
|
22 September-21 October
|
Sustained explosive activity (76 explosions during this period.)
|
1 Henceforth
'HMG'. Back
2
Q.17. Back
|
