§ 30. Mr. De Chairasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the announcements by various Governments of annexation, or proposed annexation, of vast areas in the Antarctic, he will define the present limits of British territory in the Antarctic and the area of land involved?
Mr. M. MacDonaldAs the reply is rather long, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the reply:
§ There are three areas of British territory in the Antarctic, administered by His Majesty's Governments in the United Kingdom, in New Zealand, and in the Commonwealth of Australia, respectively.
The United Kingdom sector consists of the Falkland Islands Dependencies as defined by the Letters Patent of 28th March, 1917, namely including:''all islands and territories whatsoever between 20th degree of west longitude and the 50th degree of west longitude which are situated south of the 50th parallel of south latitude; and all islands and territories whatsoever between the 50th degree of west longitude and the 80th degree of west longitude which are situated south of the 58th parallel of south latitude.
The New Zealand sector, which is known as the Ross Dependency, is defined by an Order in Council of 30th July, 1923, as 1273all the islands and territories between the 160th degree of east longitude and the 150th degree of west longitude which are situated south of the 60th degree of south latitude
The Australian sector is defined by an Order in Council of 7th February, 1933, as comprisingall the islands and territories other than Adélie Land which are situated south of the 60th degree of south latitude and lying between the 160th degree of east longitude and the 45th degree of east longitude.
§ It is impossible to state with any accuracy the total area of land in these territories in view of the fact that the Antarctic Continent is constantly under snow and ice, is only partly explored, and it is difficult to say with any exactiture where the land finishes and ice begins.