HC Deb 04 July 1977 vol 934 cc881-3
38. Sir Bernard Braine

asked the Minister of Overseas Development why she will initiate studies into the possibility of aid for the extension of the airport and the development of fisheries and tourism in the Falkland Islands only when a framework of political and economic cooperation with Argentina has been established.

Mr. Tomlinson

As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs' predecessor said on 2nd February, the Government will at the appropriate moment commission essential preliminary studies on airport enlargement. Major economic developments, including tourism and fisheries, can be undertaken only within the framework of economic co-operation with Argentina, and any useful study of the need for an enlarged airport would have to take into account the likely demands which would be made by such developments.

Sir B. Braine

That is not an answer to the Question on the Order Paper. Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the reply of the Minister of State to my hon. Friend the Member for Surbiton (Sir N. Fisher) on 13th June that she would not consider the question of aid for extending the airfield until agreement had been reached with the Argentine came as a great shock to hon. Members on both sides of the House? Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that the only interest of the Argentine Government is in securing sovereignty over the islands, which the islanders do not want? Is he further aware that the only way of giving the Falkland Islands an independent outlet to the world is by extending the runway? Anyway, why are we talking to a Fascist Government whose disregard of human rights has already, rightly, led the United States Administration to cut off aid?

Mr. Tomlinson

I believe that the hon. Gentleman must have misheard or misunderstood what I said. I told him that the Government will at the appropriate moment commission essential preliminary studies. In fact, that clearly and specifically answers the Question which the hon. Gentleman tabled. The wider political aspects to which he referred are matters which should be raised with the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.

Mr. Luce

Did not the Shackleton Report recognise an agreed number of areas of commercial potential for the Falk-lands, including fisheries and tourism? In the light of this, should not the Government regard the provision of any moneys for the extension of the airfield in the Falklands as an investment upon which Britain can expect a return? Will the Government therefore get on with it?

Mr. Tomlinson

Any possible extension to the airport enabling larger aeroplanes to land would need the provision of large terminal buildings and of more sophisticated equipment and manpower and would increase the recurrent costs. These are matters which will be subject to consideration at the appropriate time.

Mr. Tapsell

Concerning the fisheries aspect of the question, is the British delegation at the third United Nations Law of the Sea Conference, currently in session in New York, actively safeguarding the fishing and mineral interests of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, as well as the Falkland Islands?

Mr. Tomlinson

That does not directly relate to this Question. If the hon. Gentleman will table a separate Question or write to me about it, I shall certainly deal specifically with that, but at the moment—

Mr. Tapsell

The Question mentions fishing.

Mr. Tomlinson

If the hon. Member is so insistent upon hearing his own voice for a second time without listening to the reply, so be it, but the detailed question does not arise. If he wants a detailed reply, he can have it. In more general terms, the Falkland Islands do not have the requisite manpower or the infrastructure to develop an offshore fishing industry.

Mr. Faulds

Will my hon. Friend accept that a goodly number of us on the Government side very much endorse the animadversions of the hon. Member for Essex, South-East (Sir B. Braine)?

Mr. Tomlinson

In my ignorance, I am not quite sure what my hon. Friend the Member for Warley, East (Mr. Faulds) was saying. I am sure that I have some company in the House in that respect. The answer I gave quite clearly said that Major economic developments, including tourism and fisheries, can be undertaken only within the framework of economic co-operation with Argentina".

Sir B. Braine

On a point of order. Mr. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the replies received, particularly the very last one, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.