§ Q3. Mr. Foulkesasked the Prime Minister under what circumstances Her Majesty's Government are prepared to enter into discussions with a democratically elected Government of Argentina on the future of the Falkland Islands.
§ The Prime MinisterI see no possibility of discussing the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands with Argentina. I hope that a new Argentine Government will respond more constructively to our efforts to achieve more normal commercial and economic relations.
§ Mr. FoulkesWhy is the Prime Minister not willing to say that she will talk to a democratic Government in Argentina to try to find a peaceful solution that could be accepted by the islanders, instead of building up arms on both sides which could result in further conflict? Does she not agree that that could play into the hands of the generals in Argentina who will be waiting in the wings when a democratic Government take over?
§ The Prime MinisterNo. The best deterrent to any further Argentine attack is a strong force on the Falklands. I believe that the whole House is very much aware of that. There would be no point in discussing sovereignty at the 141 moment. That would be an insult to all those who gave their lives to restore freedom and justice to the Falkland Islands. If the Government in Argentina are truly democratic, they will know that the essence of democracy is self-determination. That applies to the people on the Falkland Islands as much as to those anywhere else.
§ Sir John Biggs-DavisonHave not democratically elected Governments in Argentina previously been overthrown and replaced by dictatorships? Therefore, whatever the regime in Argentina, should not we be quite clear that British subjects and British territory cannot be handed over to Argentina?
§ The Prime MinisterYes. I agree with my hon. Friend that the kind of Government in Argentina does not affect the fundamental rights of the Falkland islanders to choose the regime under which they wish to live and to choose to stay British, as they have said they wish to do.
§ Mr. WinnickIf the right hon. Lady is always concerned about reducing public expenditure, how does 142 she justify the Minister of State, Department of Employment being subsidised out of public funds as Tory party chairman——
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The question relates to Argentina.
§ Mr. Maxwell-HyslopWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that any leasing proposals would be as unacceptable now as they ever were, because if Argentina were to be granted sovereignty with leaseback and then broke the agreement we could not then move in armed forces without invading Argentine territory? That must be why any consideration of leaseback will, into the foreseeable future, be unacceptable.
§ The Prime MinisterI agree with my hon. Friend. The House made it clear that leaseback was not acceptable and the many debates that we have had have made it clear that the wishes of the Falkland islanders are paramount.