HC Deb 15 November 1948 vol 458 cc21-2
34. Commander Noble

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any further statement to make on the Falkland Islands Dependencies disputes, after his recent conversations with the Argentine Foreign Minister.

The Minister of State (Mr. McNeil)

In the course of a friendly discussion with the Argentine Foreign Minister, my right hon. Friend explained the attitude of His Majesty's Government towards the initiative of the United States Government as outlined in a reply given to the hon. Member for Hornsey (Mr. Gammans) on 3rd November. While the possibility of a general settlement of the Antarctic issue is under discussion, it is my understanding that both Governments will endeavour to avoid incidents in the Antarctic which would interfere with their friendly relations.

Mr. Drayson

Is the Secretary of State aware that the Argentine Republic have published a stamp issue in which they show all land in the Antarctic between 74 degrees and 25 degrees longitude as Argentine possessions, and as that includes the Falkland Islands, will he ask the Argentine to withdraw this issue of stamps until the matter has been investigated?

Mr. Speaker

The Question refers, I think, to the conversations with the Argentine Minister. It does not refer to this aspect.