Montserrat volcano: British aid on its way

Row Erupts Over Aid to Montserrat

Diane Abbott MP warned that more lives would be lost unless urgent action was taken to deal with housing, health and sanitation problems.

The Government's position was defended by junior International Development Minister George Foulkes, who insisted the disaster was being handled with the urgency it deserved.

Mr Foulkes was replying to an emergency question from Ms Abbott, who said the "devastating" eruption on the British dependency had resulted in eight people dead, ten missing presumed dead and a further eight missing.

Mr Foulkes told the House that, in view of the seriousness of the eruption, his department had last week established a task force of officials to decide what best could be done to help the people of the island.

As a result, urgent steps had been taken, including:

• Immediate mobilisation of four helicopters, including one with a burns treatment capability
• Creation of a new ferry service to and from Antigua
• Sending a senior Emergency Aid Department official to help coordinate Britain's contribution to the alleviation of the crisis
• Examination of the possibility of a helicopter shuttle service
• £6.8 million being made available for assistance

In addition, junior Foreign Office Minister Baroness Symons was on the island, said Mr Foulkes.

He told the House, "I have spoken to her this afternoon and she is now meeting with the Government of Montserrat to discuss what further help may be necessary. We and the Government of Montserrat accept responsibility for the safety and long term future of the island."

A second eruption occurred shortly before the arrival of Baroness Symons in Montserrat. She is there to inspect the damage at first hand and assess how best to help the island.