§ 24. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Minister of Overseas Development whether she will make a statement about ecological and geological surveys now being made of the Falkland Islands and dependencies.
§ Mr. WhitakerThere is not an ecological survey, as such, now being made. The Agricultural Advisory team which went to the Falkland Islands at the end of last year included specialists in both pasture and grasslands, and they have based their research into all aspects of animal nutrition and production on work carried out by the Directorate of Overseas Surveys.
As regards geological work, my Ministry is financing the production by Birmingham University of a new geological map of the Islands, and Her Majesty's Government have also decided to carry out an investigation of the available information of the oil-bearing potential of the sea areas around the Falkland Islands.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonI thank the hon. Gentleman for that reply and take it as an earnest of the Government's intention to carry on administering and developing this British Territory as a British Territory.
§ Mr. WhitakerMy right hon. Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary has already assured the House on this count.