Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the planned opening date of St Helena Airport.
Answered by Baroness Verma
The airport scheduled to open for commercial flights from the end of February 2016, subject to completion of the remaining works and to meeting all regulatory requirements. An official opening ceremony is planned for later that year.
Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made on increasing and improving facilities on St Helena for the anticipated increase in tourists once the new airport is completed.
Answered by Baroness Northover
Enterprise St Helena (ESH), St Helena’s Economic Development Agency, continues to develop the island’s tourism industry and its accommodation. ESH also continues to support local businesses to ensure that St Helena’s tourist attractions are developed and accredited to international standards.
Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they expect to announce details of freight and passenger shipping services to replace those currently provided by the Royal Mail Ship St Helena.
Answered by Baroness Northover
The ocean shipping service procurement process is being run by the St Helena Government. They will make an announcement as soon as this process has been concluded.
Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they expect to announce details of air passenger services to St Helena.
Answered by Baroness Northover
The UK Government is providing support to the air service procurement process that is currently underway and run by the St Helena Government.
Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made in securing direct air access to St Helena.
Answered by Baroness Northover
The UK Government is providing support to the air service procurement process that is currently underway and run by the St Helena Government.
Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to ensure that direct flights from Europe which include a refuelling stop will be given full consideration in assessing which companies to invite to bid for the air service to the new airport on St Helena.
Answered by Baroness Northover
Potential Service Providers who meet the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) criteria will be asked to submit a tender to provide the St Helena Air Service; all tenders will be given full consideration.
Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what advice they are providing to the government of Botswana about combatting the effects of the recent drought there.
Answered by Baroness Northover
Cyclical droughts in Botswana are of concern. The Government of Botswana is best placed to prepare for and lead the response to humanitarian disasters as it did during the 2013 drought. The UK Government does not have a bilateral development programme in Botswana, but will continue to monitor the humanitarian situation.
Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has been made in negotiations to provide air services to St Helena once the new airport is completed in February 2016; and what steps they are taking to develop the local tourism industry there, including the provision of suitable tourist accommodation.
Answered by Baroness Northover
St Helena Government (SHG) issued the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) for the air service procurement in June 2014. The PQQ is the first stage of the air service procurement and will allow interested airlines to register their intent to bid for the air service.
Enterprise St Helena (ESH), St Helena's Economic Development Agency, is leading St Helena's plans to develop its tourism industry and its accommodation. In parallel, ESH is working with local businesses to ensure that the island's tourist attractions are developed and accredited to international standards.