HC Deb 01 March 1983 vol 38 cc122-4
6. Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he has any plans to pay an official visit to the Falklands.

Mr. Heseltine

At present I have no plans to do so.

Mr. Parry

Further to the Prime Minister's reply last week, what steps are being taken by the Government to provide service men in the Falklands with British food, drinks and supplies, particularly British corned beef? What is the cost of the exercise to the British taxpayer? Has Lord Vestey, the No. 1 tax fiddler, made a claim on the Government following the closure of the West Coast Stevedoring company in Liverpool with the loss of 400 jobs, blaming that on the loss of the corned beef trade due to the conflct in the Falkland Islands?

Mr. Heseltine

I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said on this subject. As to the detail of job losses, I shall look into the matter and contact the hon. Gentleman later.

Sir Hector Monro

Is my right hon. Friend aware that if he were able to visit the Falklands in the near future he would find the British forces in a state of high morale? What progress has been made to provide better accommodation for them before the Falklands winter?

Mr. Heseltine

I am most grateful to my hon. Friend. As a result of the significant number of visits to the Falklands that the House has arranged we have had a full report of the high morale of British forces there. I am immensely grateful to those who lead them for helping to bring that about. The House will be aware that one coastel is already in position, another is on order, which is scheduled to be in place before the winter, and we are considering the possibility of a third.

Mr. Dalyell

What is the estimated cost of Port Stanley airport?

Mr. Heseltine

I take it that the hon. Gentleman is considering the possibility of an updated Port Stanley airport as opposed to the existing one. The House will be aware that there is a need for additional facilities on the Falkland Islands if we are to maintain a credible defence there and to be able to reinforce a garrison that could, perhaps, be maintained at a lower level of readiness than is currently the position. In those circumstances it is appropriate that we should invite tenders for the cost of providing adequate facilities in the Falkland Islands in the near future.

Mr. Dalyell

The cost is £880 million.

Mr. Heseltine

If we are to put the matter to tender, it is appropriate that we should wait to see what figures we get before we try to estimate the costs in advance. However, I shall make a careful note of the hon. Gentleman's view that the cost is likely to be £880 million.

Sir John Biggs-Davison

What aircraft will the new Port Stanley airport be able to receive and what is the Government's decision about a second airfield?

Mr. Heseltine

The principal change will be the possibility of using wide-bodied jets for the transportation of significant numbers of people at short notice, which is an option not now readily available to us. I think that my hon. Friend has in mind the possibility of building an alternative airport at March Ridge instead of renovating and extending the airport at Port Stanley. That is one of the options that will be put to tender.

Mr. John Silkin

When the right hon. Gentleman visits the Falklands, how does he propose to explain to the people there that British engines and military equipment are getting to Argentina even though Argentina has not renounced war against Britain?

Mr. Heseltine

The right hon. Gentleman will be aware that arms procurement, and the contractual relationships with our friendly allies that lies behind that, is one of the most difficult of decisions that all Governments must make. The right hon. Gentleman's predecessors had no easier task than the Government and their Ministers. He will be well aware that all contracts that could be brought to an end were brought to an end, that there is no supply of aggressive equipment to Argentina and that we shall maintain that position in all appropriate circumstances.

Mr. Silkin

How friendly does the right hon. Gentleman think allies are who are prepared to sell equipment to Argentina before the hostilities have been declared at an end?

Mr. Heseltine

The right hon. Gentleman will have his own views about individual contracts and will fully understand the Government's right to make any appropriate representations. However, it is not within the Government's gift, any more than it was within the gift of previous Governments, to do other than seek to influence their allies.