St Lucia: Hurricane Tomas

Lord Chidgey Excerpts
Thursday 20th January 2011

(13 years, 10 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Baroness Verma Portrait Baroness Verma
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My Lords, the Government cannot change the rules for Caribbean countries without objective justification. The APD on a return economy ticket typically represents a small percentage of the price. However, we are exploring changes to the aviation tax system, including a per-plane tax. Of course, any major changes will be subject to consultation.

Lord Chidgey Portrait Lord Chidgey
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Is my noble friend aware that, as a result of World Trade Organisation restrictions on EU trade preferences, St Lucia and Windward Island farmers can no longer compete with the industrial-scale banana production of Latin America? What measures are the Government taking to assist the Windward Isles to diversify and revitalise their fragile and struggling economies?

Baroness Verma Portrait Baroness Verma
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My Lords, as my noble friend is aware, we do not give bilateral aid to St Lucia. All aid and help is provided through multilateral organisations. I will take back the point that he raised and hope to provide him with a Written Answer.