HC Deb 09 April 1986 vol 95 c164
18. Mr. Willie W. Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will now seek to re-establish diplomatic relations with Argentina; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Eggar

As my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary said to the hon. Member for Kilmarnock and Loudoun (Mr. McKelvey) on 5 March, we wish to move towards more normal relations with Argentina. We have taken numerous steps to achieve this; the Argentine Government have still to respond constructively.

Mr. Hamilton

Is the Minister aware that there has been a rapid erosion of international support for the Government's inflexible policy, which is, in the meantime, costing the hard-pressed British taxpayers hundreds of millions of pounds every year? Does he not realise that every other party in the House is committed to ending that absurd policy straight after the next election? In those circumstances, will he do more to protect the interests of British taxpayers?

Mr. Eggar

The majority of the cost is behind us now, as expenditure on Mount Pleasant airport has decreased. But is the hon. Gentleman really saying that all other parties are prepared to pay no attention to the Falklanders' right of self-determination?

Sir Frederic Bennett

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker

Does it arise from questions?

Sir Frederic Bennett

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Speaker

Then I will take it.

Sir Frederic Bennett

I wish to raise a brief and entirely non-partisan point of order, which I think will be of interest to hon. Members on both sides of the House. In reply to question 3, concerning another country's citizens receiving military training in Britain, the Minister gave a full answer and an exchange followed between hon. Members on both sides of the House, about which no one can complain. But when, in a supplementary question, I asked whether similar information—

Mr. Speaker

Order. Points of order must interest me.

Sir Frederic Bennett

They will, or at least I hope they will. When I then asked whether similar questions could be answered about other countries, I was told that the answer was no, because such arrangements were confidential as between the countries concerned—

Mr. Speaker

Order. I am afraid that that is not my responsibility.