Pitcairn Islands
(asked on 28th October 2014) - View Source
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the sustainability of the Pitcairn Islands.
This question was answered on 3rd November 2014
In 2013, the Government of Pitcairn and Her Majesty's Government commissioned two independent pieces of analysis. One into the appetite amongst the Pitcairn diaspora for return to the island, and the other on the broader economic potential of the island. Both reports recognised that unless the population of the island increases, it will be a challenge to maintain the longer-term sustainability of Pitcairn. Her Majesty's Government fully supports the economic development of the Pitcairn Islands. The Government of Pitcairn has recently worked up a new Strategic Development Plan and a repopulation plan, and Her Majesty’s Government has given advice on both these documents. The Pitcairn Island Council is currently reconsidering those documents alongside HMG’s advice. We will continue to work in partnership with the Government of Pitcairn to support the community in Pitcairn as we consider longer-term options for the island. Given the acute challenges Pitcairn faces, a new office of Administrator will replace the current role of Governor’s Representative on the island by the end of the year to provide more assistance at this critical stage.
In 2013, the Government of Pitcairn and Her Majesty's Government commissioned two independent pieces of analysis. One into the appetite amongst the Pitcairn diaspora for return to the island, and the other on the broader economic potential of the island. Both reports recognised that unless the population of the island increases, it will be a challenge to maintain the longer-term sustainability of Pitcairn. Her Majesty's Government fully supports the economic development of the Pitcairn Islands. The Government of Pitcairn has recently worked up a new Strategic Development Plan and a repopulation plan, and Her Majesty’s Government has given advice on both these documents. The Pitcairn Island Council is currently reconsidering those documents alongside HMG’s advice. We will continue to work in partnership with the Government of Pitcairn to support the community in Pitcairn as we consider longer-term options for the island. Given the acute challenges Pitcairn faces, a new office of Administrator will replace the current role of Governor’s Representative on the island by the end of the year to provide more assistance at this critical stage.