OT 339: Letter from Mike Foster MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Department for International Development

 

Thank you for your interest in the issue of access to St Helena.

 

As you know, we paused the negotiations on the contract to build an airport for St Helena because of the very significant changes in the economic climate since the contract tender in May 2007. The Government has a responsibility to take a step back and review whether it is right to proceed with the project at this time.

 

We have announced our intention to undertake further consultation on access options, during which time we will be inviting all interested parties to submit their views. The consultation document provides full details of how to do so and the timetable for the consultation. It is available on the DFID website (www.dfid.gov.uk/consultations). A hard copy will also be placed in the library of the House of Commons following the Easter recess.

 

The Government's long term commitment to St Helena remains. The Department for International Development has recently agreed one of the highest budgetary aid packages for this financial year to help the Government of St Helena address some of the difficult challenges facing the island. However, St Helena cannot be entirely immune from the effects of global difficulties. We must consider whether the airport is the most appropriate option for access in the present circumstances given the difficulties we are contending with.

 

 

9 April 2009