§ 14. Mr. Luceasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth 386 Affairs what progress is being made on the implementation of the Joint Agreement on Communications of June 1971 between Great Britain, the Falkland Islands and Argentina.
§ Mr. AmeryGood progress has been made on the implementation of the agreement. There has been a marked increase in traffic between the Islands and the Argentine mainland and there is now a weekly air service between Port Stanley and Comodoro Rivadavia.
§ Mr. LuceDoes my right hon. Friend agree that in order to see a continuation of the improvement in the relationship between Britain and the Falkland Islands on the one hand and the Argentine on the other, it is important to stick rigidly to the terms of the agreement? Will he say, first, whether, and, if so, when, Britain will construct a permanent airfield? Secondly, does he agree that this kind of practical arrangement, which treats the question of sovereignty as a separate issue, might be a guideline for an improved relationship between Great Britain and Spain over the question of Gibraltar?
§ Mr. AmeryWork on the permanent airfield is going forward as planned. I take note of the second part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question. I hope that the Spanish authorities will do so, too.