Written question asked by Michael McCann (Labour) on Friday, 26 November 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 30 November 2010. It was answered by Andrew Mitchell (Conservative) on Friday, 3 December 2010 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Tristan Da Cunha: Ports

Question: (5) how much funding his Department plans to provide for repairs to the harbour on Tristan Da Cunha.

Answer: The UK is obliged under the UN Charter to promote the well-being of the inhabitants of the Overseas Territories. Without urgent repair work, the harbour on Tristan da Cunha, which was severely damaged in a storm earlier this year, could be rendered unusable during the South Atlantic winter. Without a harbour, tourism and fishing, the major sources of income on the island, would be severely reduced and the island would require a significant extra subsidy from British taxpayers every year.To divulge estimated costs now would prejudice ongoing contractual negotiations. Final costs will be fully met by DFID and all funding will be classified as official development assistance (ODA).The current population of Tristan da Cunha is 265. Average per capita income is £3,100.

Secondary information