HC Deb 19 October 1988 vol 138 c888
15. Mr. Shersby

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in achieving a declaration from Argentina of a cessation of hostilities and in restoring diplomatic relations.

Mr. Eggar

Argentina still refuses to declare that she regards hostilities as being at an end, has made no response to a series of practical British initiatives to bring about more normal relations and maintains restrictions on United Kingdom exports. It is, therefore, premature to think in terms of restoring diplomatic relations.

Mr. Shersby

Does my hon. Friend agree that a declaration of cessation of hostilities is an essential prerequisite to the restoration of diplomatic relations with Argentina?

Mr. Eggar

Very much so, but, as I have already said to my hon. Friend, there are a number of other initiatives that we have taken with regard to Argentina on which we are still awaiting responses.