§ Q3. Mr. Dalyellasked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on discussions between Her Majesty's Government and the United States Government on policy towards the resolution agreed at the United Nations on 4 November in relation to the Falkland Islands.
§ The Prime MinisterWe were in frequent contact with the United States Government before the vote on 4 November, and they were left in no doubt about our views concerning this resolution.
§ Mr. DalyellWhat hard evidence does the Prime Minister have for her statement that the American vote wes an aberration?
§ The Prime MinisterWe were very grateful for the support of the United States Government throughout the Falklands campaign. They have supported, and we expect them to continue to support, a country which is an ally and which stands for the same democratic principles and for self-determination. To depart from that, to support Argentina, would be an aberration.
§ Sir John Biggs-DavisonWas it not indeed an aberration, and would not the United States be better employed in mobilising international support for the United Kingdom, as sovereign power, in islands that are vital to the strategy of the West, including the United States?
§ The Prime MinisterI agree with my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. Tom ClarkeIn view of the frequent comments about so-called social security scroungers—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. We are not on an open question now. We are dealing with the Falklands.
§ Mr. StrangAs at least one newspaper which supported the Prime Minister's Falklands campaign blurted out the truth, namely, that negotiations on the basis of the resolution should take place as soon as the election is over, even if we have a Conservative Government, is the Prime Minister aware that it is bad enough for her to spend £400 million a year on the garrison in the Falklands, but that it would be intolerable if she sacrificed the lives of more Service men in defence of this relic of our imperial past?
§ The Prime MinisterThere can be no question of negotiations on sovereignty for the Falkland Islands. It would be a betrayal of those who fought and died.