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VISIT TO THE FALKLAND ISLANDS BY THE MINISTER FOR OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT
FEBRUARY 1983
Civil Rehabilitation
After the expulsion of Argentine forces, British forces undertook some immediate repairs on civilian facilities. Meanwhile, HMG, in consultation with the
Falkland Islands Government, launched an urgent rehabilitation programme.
£15m has now been allocated to meet the needs listed below. Expenditure
will be spread over 2-3 years, but the bulk will fall in 1982/3, as shown in the table attached. Supply has been sought under a new subhead of the
Overseas Aid vote. Pending approval of the Winter Supplementary Estimates,
Contingencies Fund advances are being drawn. The main work in the programme
is now well in hand and includes:-
Supply and erection of 54 furnished prefabricated houses, and an
accommodation block for the work force which will later be used for other
purposes.
Connection of local services, and provision of roads and foundations
for the houses.
Supply of 10 mobile homes.
Supply of replacement aircraft for Falkland Islands Government air service
(two Britten-Norman Islanders and one second hand Beaver float plane).
Replacement of fuel stocks.
Supply of building materials and. furnishings for damaged housing.
Supply of tools, plant and equipment for Public Works Department, included
equipment and spares for power and water systems.
Supply of replacement furnishings for Town Hall.
Rent and furbishment of temporary boarding hostel for secondary school
pupils, including supply of a further 10 mobile homes.
Supply of laboratory equipment, chemicals and fertilisers for Grasslands
Trials Unit.
Replacement of destroyed/damaged items from Government department inventories.
Arrangements for a fully equipped contractor's team to repair the worst damaged sections of the road in Port Stanley and on the airport route.
Individual background notes on each of these items is attached. Further requests are expected in respect of repairs to water, power and sewerage systems, telephone equipment, and aircraft hangers at an estimated cost of £805,000.
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