§ 53. Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to finalise the details of the activities to be supported from the Overseas Development Administration budget in the Falkland Islands.
§ Mr. RaisonI do not expect to finalise the overall development programme for some time. Development is a continuing process carried out in close contact with the Falkland Islands Government. They have indicated their priorities; some projects have already been approved, others are now being prepared.
§ Mr. DalyellIn view of the millions of pounds that are poured into projects ranging from the airport to Noah's Ark, should not senior Ministers take into account the formidable leaders in both The Times and The Guardian this morning about the Falklands and persuade the Prime Minister to take this opportunity to negotiate with the new Government in Buenos Aires?
§ Mr. RaisonMy job is to supervise the development programme in the Falkland Islands. The case for a development programme there has been established for some time. I believe that the programme that is under way is effective and will help to provide the people there with confidence in their future.
§ Mr. Stuart HollandIs the Minister aware that the Crown Agents have been involved in the Falklands? In view of their current financial difficulties, will he make a statement to the House on the options for their future before a decision is taken by the Government? Will he further assure the House that overseas development funds are in no way involved—I stress, in no way involved—in the financing of the airport on the Falklands?
§ Mr. RaisonI welcome the hon. Gentleman to the Dispatch Box—I think for the first time. The subject of the Crown Agents does not arise under this question. The airport has been financed out of defence expenditure, not out of the development budget.