§ 23. Mr. Luceasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will report on progress for the construction of the permanent airstrip in the Falkland Islands; when he proposes to start and complete construction; and how much it will cost.
§ Mr. KershawThe Governor has applied for a grant of £1615 million for the construction of the permanent airfield. This is being considered and I hope that an early decision will be reached. If the application is approved construction could, barring unforseen difficulties, be started by August, 1973, and completed about May, 1975.
§ Mr. LuceI am grateful to my hon. Friend, but is he aware that the islanders at present have totally inadequate and temporary passenger links with the outside world and urgently wish for better communications? Will he therefore ensure that this permanent airstrip is constructed as urgently as possible?
§ Mr. KershawYes. I think this is the best we can do. It is a big job which will have to be put out to tender properly. Construction difficulties are considerable, but we nevertheless appreciate the importance of this.
§ Mr. FoleyWill the Minister say what degree of interest the Argentine Government are showing in this project?
§ Mr. KershawThe Argentine Government are co-operating in the provision of a temporary airstrip. I am sure they see that this is for the good of the islanders, 1309 and it will give them satisfaction as well as ourselves.