§ 43. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Prime Minister whether he will take action to co-ordinate the responsibilities of the Treasury, Foreign Office, and Colonial Office in relation to Antarctic territory; and whether he will state the Government's policy in relation to this area.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Macmillan)I regard the existing machinery for co-ordination as adequate.
Her Majesty's Government's policy in regard to Antarctica is to continue the tasks of surveying and exploring the Falkland Islands Dependencies, which include our Antarctic sector, with a view to ascertaining their value, particularly from the economic and scientific points of view, and by the establishment and administration of the necessary bases to establish our sovereignty over the area. The Government are in consultation with the other Commonwealth Governments concerned.
§ Mr. HendersonDoes not the Prime Minister agree that the international co-operation which is taking place in Antarctica in connection with the Geophysical Year should be of very great value, and has he considered initiating discussions with other interested Governments with the object of utilising the resources of that region for peaceful purposes and for the general welfare?
§ The Prime MinisterI will certainly take note of that suggestion.