Montserrat

asked Her Majesty's Government:What future levels of development assistance they intend to provide to Montserrat. [HL984]

We have informed the Government of Montserrat (GoM) that approximate future levels of assistance will be as follows:

	£m
2001–02	24.4
2002–03	17.0
2003–04	13.6
2004–05	9.5
2005–06	7.5

These amounts include both budgetary aid and development assistance. The 2001–02 figure is firm, subject to parliamentary approval. Figures for subsequent years are for planning purposes and are subject to the normal processes of resource allocation and review in the light of changing circumstances.By the end of March 2001, DFID will have provided over £135 million to Montserrat since the onset of volcanic activity in 1995. A substantial amount of work has been completed during this period, with much of the essential economic and social infrastructure now in place in the previously underdeveloped north of the island.DFID's assistance to Montserrat in the next five years will focus on building the capacity of GoM to deliver effective and efficient public services, with a reduced requirement for significant external budgetary assistance.