Browse Items (28 total)

Page 1: Protest to not delaying departure of HMS Blake and the lack of naval vessel nearer than Bahamas; suggests MOD should be told that situation in SVG believed to be serious enough to warrant having a ship within 24 hour distance; ship not needed…

Follow up to item 367 (TNA Item 17 pages 132/133): Notice of HMS Berwick's dispatch to SVG, arrival expected 25/11/1971. Marine officer with communications equipment dispatched to SVG, arriving 23/11/1971.

Discusses the challenges of relief effort: finance (high cost of commisioning relief flight, £10k of FCO disaster funding in event of disaster only); provision of supplies (frigate vs neighbouring islands; plan).

Handwritten update dated…

Reply to request for more experienced volcanologists (FCO 63/881 item 26/Curating_Crises_#186); finding qualified British scientist might be difficult; money is tight.

Letter to ODA explaining the lack of funding for pre-disaster planning.

Discussion of the difficulty faced by govt of SVG in terms of pre-disaster preparations and lack of resources. Inquires as to whether short term forecast of impending eruption could be held as the beginning of a disaster to secure access to disaster…

Letter to Embleton, who was on leave, conveying situation briefing from Mitchell (TNA#88/CC#426)

Discussion of the lack of pre-emptive funding; report of external help; request of whether this issue could be raised by telephone with appropriate staff and rules relaxed.

Note of thanks for previous communications from Mitchell to Cato on 26th November (not in record)

Concern that the lack of funds from UK, in light of so much support from NGOs, might become 'embarrassing'; relaxation of no eruption, no funds rule being pushed for; response from treasury not yet clear.