ISLAND OF ST HELENA AIRPORT CONSULTATION

That this House deplores the announcement by the Government to hold a consultation on options for access to the Island of St Helena, which is unnecessary and a waste of taxpayers' money; points out that options for access were thoroughly explored during the 2004 feasibility study which concluded that an airport was the only option that would give St Helena the hope of reducing its dependence on subsidies by becoming more self-sufficient, a view supported by the overwhelming majority of the Island's residents; reminds the Government that the study concluded that an airport would enable a tourist industry to be developed which could produce up to 33 million a year in revenue, nearly twice the value of current subsidies from the UK; and calls on the Government to honour its obligations, and declared promises, to loyal British citizens living on the Island of St Helena who will continue to suffer from economic and social decline, neglect and under-investment on a scale not experienced by any other British community.