§ 55. Sir John Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about assistance given by the Overseas Development Administration for the development of tourism in the Falkland Islands and dependencies.
§ The Minister for Overseas Development (Mr. Timothy Raison)I understand that the Falkland Islands Government expect to make their new development corporation responsible for planning tourist development. The corporation is now being set up, and I have not, therefore, had specific proposals put to me. I can confirm that we expect the Falkland Islands Government to use some of the aid now available for this purpose.
§ Sir John Biggs-DavisonI congratulate my right hon. Friend on assuming his new responsibilities and I wish him well. Will he be receptive to ideas from outside the normal channels for the promotion of tourism in the Falkland Islands and may I bring one of my constituents to meet him or one of his officials at an appropriate time?
§ Mr. RaisonI am grateful to my hon. Friend for his congratulations. I took up my new post in January, but they are none the less welcome. I should be delighted to meet any of my hon. Friend's constituents at any time.
§ Mr. DalyellHow sensible is it to talk about tourism when the British taxpayer has to pay the Danish owners of the Herta Maersk a fat fee for bringing fresh water to the Falklands from New Zealand?
§ Mr. RaisonThe hon. Gentleman's fantasies about the Falklands grow ever more bizarre. There is scope for tourism in the Falklands, although it is not enormous, and the Government will try to help.