HC Deb 23 February 1948 vol 447 cc1600-1
45. Mr. Donner

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the willingness of His Majesty's Government in Australia to consider a request to dispatch a cruiser to the Falkland Islands; whether he will express his appreciation of this gesture of Imperial unity in the face of foreign trespass; whether it is intended to make such a request; and if he will make a statement on developments and on the situation in the Falkland Island Dependencies.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)

I have seen the statement by the Australian Prime Minister on 18th February and I am glad to take this opportunity of expressing my appreciation of the friendly interest and desire to help which were shown by Mr. Chifley on behalf of His Majesty's Government in Australia. As things are, His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom do not, however, see any necessity to ask the Australian Government to send a cruiser to the Falkland Islands. H.M.S. "Nigeria" is now due to arrive at the Falkland Islands very shortly and will then visit the Dependencies in company with H.M.S. "Snipe."

Mr. Donner

Will the Prime Minister give an assurance that in no circumstances will His Majesty's Government allow the issue of British sovereignty to be prejudged by the kind of action of which the Argentinian and Chilean Governments are guilty?

The Prime Minister

That does not arise out of this Question. I would like to see it on the Order Paper.

Mr. Eden

While I associate myself with what the right hon. Gentleman has said about the action of the Australian Government, may I ask whether he is able to give us at least this assurance, that while His Majesty's Government will fulfil at all times their obligations, they are not prepared to be either cheeked or chivied out of British territories anywhere in the world?

The Prime Minister

I can certainly give that assurance.

Mr. Gammans

Has the Prime Minister informed the Governments of Chile and Argentina that we regard the action which they have already taken as a direct infringement of British sovereignty over these territories?

The Prime Minister

This matter was answered recently in reply to another Question. The hon. Gentleman will be aware that we took up the matter with those Governments and proposed that the matter should be brought to the International Court.

Sir Peter Macdonald

Is it not a fact that both these countries owe their liberation and their charter to British sailors and British statesmen, in the case of Chile to Admiral Lord Cochrane and in the case of the Argentine to Mr. George Canning? As there was no question then of any Antarctic possessions, what right have they since to claim possessions of territories which they have never owned and have never occupied and are quite incapable of defending?