Supplementary Memorandum from the Secretary
of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
MONTSERRAT
I was grateful for the opportunity to brief
members of the Committee last week, and for your patience with
the time it took to arrange a time for the meeting. There were
one or two points—particularly points where you felt the
government's written response had not addressed specific recommendations
in the Committee's report—on which I should like to add
some further comments, and without delay.
Firstly, the Wadge and Isaacs report. I do sympathise
with Ann Clywd's feeling that, somewhere back in time, something
may have been less than brilliantly handled. However, I should
make three points. Firstly, the report was not commissioned by
the government. Secondly, there is no evidence the FCO ever saw
it: the Governor at the time, and the Commissioner of Police (with
both of whom we have spoken) did not. And thirdly, the content
of the report was not such as would have persuaded people at the
time to abandon Plymouth. Frankly I think there is little more
that can usefully be said on this topic. The issue now is, dealing
with the situation as it exists.
Secondly, the recommendation that the FCO (including
our High Commissioners in the region) should take an active role
in explaining our actions in Montserrat, providing information
and overseeing the welfare of relocated Montserratians. I entirely
accept this. We took the opportunity of the Caribbean Forum in
Nassau to update the Caribbeans at Ministerial level, and we ensure
that our missions in the region are kept up to date with developments.
In the context of evacuation planning, we are planning a regional
workshop later this year. On the welfare side, our missions are
currently working with DFID to introduce the Community Empowerment
Project and Specials Needs Fund in the region.
Thirdly, on exercising the evacuation plan.
As I explained at our meeting, the intention is indeed that the
new plan be exercised once all the revised details are worked
out. This revision is nearly complete and the testing of some
elements of the plan has already begun. We intend that a major
simulation will take place by August.
Beyond these there were a number of other issues
raised by the Committee on which I promised to make further enquiries.
The special grant scheme to assist local authorities
providing housing for Montserratians was raised. I am afraid I
am not yet able to confirm that this will be renewed. But I do
recognise the importance of the issue, and have instructed my
officials to keep in close touch with their counterparts in the
DETR, where the matter is being considered.
* * * * * *
I should also like to elaborate on the Ministerial
responsibilities for the Overseas Territories. As I made clear,
Baroness Symons will be the Minister responsible for all generic
issues and as such the Minister for the Overseas Territories.
However, as the Ministers responsible respectively for Europe
and Argentina, Doug Henderson and Tony Lloyd will continue to
be involved with Gibraltar and the Falklands.
I was asked about the commitment I gave during
my visit to Montserrat in February to request DFID to purchase
additional land for housing. I did indeed do this on my return
from Montserrat and Clare Short agreed that further land would
probably be needed. The Government of Montserrat is now discussing
with DFID the exact requirement to meet the housing needs of those
remaining on island.
Rt Hon Robin Cook, MP
Secretary of State
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
15 May 1998
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