Falkland Islands (Hansard, 7 July 1982)

§ 2. Mr. Winnick
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Falkland Islands.

§ Mr. Onslow
Following the surrender of the Argentine forces on the islands, we are proceeding with all possible urgency on the task of rehabilitation. The task force has done most valuable work in the re-establishment of essential services in Port Stanley, including the schools, and in the provision of internal communications. The civil commissioner has sent us his assessment of the immediate requirements. These are being given priority and action has already been taken to identify suppliers and obtain shipping dates for the equipment most urgently needed, as well as to recruit further essential personnel.

§ Mr. Winnick
Should not the Government stop making party capital out of the conflict and think hard about the future of the Falkland Islands? Has a form of United Nations trusteeship been completely ruled out?

§ Mr. Onslow
I think that the hon. Gentleman is trying to make party capital out of this matter. Our priority is to get life on the islands back to normal as fast as we possibly can. The long-term future of the islands will have to be considered. In the meantime, I see no reason to form any firm ideas. There are more important things to do.

§ Mr. Brocklebank-Fowler
What estimate has the hon. Gentleman made of the cost of rehabilitation, reconstruction and development? Will a separate budget be made available for that purpose, or will the money come from the ODA allocation?

§ Mr. Onslow
Until the civil commissioner has been able to complete his stocktaking of the damage that has been done and the property that has been lost, and until we have Lord Shackleton's report and recommendations as to what might be done in future, it is impossible to give the House a firm figure. However, when that becomes possible, it will be done. In the interval, I assure the House that a shortage of financial authority is unlikely to hold up any essential work.

§ Mr. Bill Walker
Is my hon. Friend yet in a position to say whether the Argentine prisoners are producing any 275 reaction from the new junta in the Argentine and whether there is any likelihood that it will stop any attempts at further hostilities?

§ Mr. Onslow
As soon as we have a firm and reliable indication that hostilities have ceased and will not restart, we shall be anxious to return the prisoners of war to their native country. I hope and believe that we shall soon be in that position. There are indications, but it is difficult to know what they mean. However, I am glad to tell the House that we have been informed by the United Nations Secretary-General that, according to the Argentine representative at the United Nations, Flight Lieutenant Glover is to be released and should arrive in Montevideo this afternoon.

§ Mr. Healey
In view of the heavy price that was paid for ignoring evidence earlier in the year that the Argentines might be planning to invade the Falklands, will the hon. Gentleman assure the House that the Governments of Guatemala and Venezuela are left with no illusion about how seriously we would take it if they were to use force in pressing their claims against the independent Commonwealth countries of Belize and Guyana?

§ Mr. Onslow
I do not want to comment on the right hon. Gentleman's preamble. The Governments of Guatemala and Venezuela must be aware of what has occurred. I hope that they will not embark upon similar reckless adventures. We have noted recent statements that the Government of Venezuela intend to pursue their frontier dispute with Guyana by peaceful means. Statements coming out of Guatemala are difficult to analyse.