Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Anne McLaughlin and Lord Wharton of Yarm

Wednesday 22nd February 2017 Commons Chamber

[Anne McLaughlin (Glasgow North East) (SNP)]

6. What support her Department is providing to Montserrat to help that country become self-sufficient.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development (James Wharton)]

The Department is continuing to provide significant support to Montserrat, including budgetary support and work that we are doing to help to develop the economy to make it sustainable into the future.

[Anne McLaughlin]

The Premier of Montserrat, Donaldson Romeo, recently told MPs and peers that he does not want his country to be the recipient of international aid for generations to come. Instead, he is looking for strategic capital investment to develop, for instance, the tourism industry. Will the Minister meet the all-party group on Montserrat to discuss some of his suggestions so that the country can once again become self-sustaining?

[James Wharton]

As always, DFID Ministers would be delighted to meet parliamentary colleagues. I am sure we would be happy to arrange an appropriate meeting, and I can assure the hon. Lady that we are looking to invest in long-term economic prospects in Montserrat, as elsewhere.