§ 3.10 p.m.
§ VISCOUNT MASSEREENE AND FERRARDMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government, in view of the statement made by Lord Chalfont in this House on March 27 that Her Majesty's Government are inclined to think that the community of the Falkland Islands is too small to hold a plebiscite, why a small compact population is not suitable for a plebiscite.]
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS (LORD SHEPHERD)My Lords, a plebiscite appears to be unnecessary and unsuitable in the circumstances of the Falkland Islands, particularly as we regard consultation with the people as a continuous process.
§ VISCOUNT MASSEREENE AND FERRARDMy Lords, I thank the Minister for his reply. Does he not agree that the democratic principle lays down the right 739 of the individual to choose who rules him, and is the noble Lord aware that many people cannot understand why this right appears to have been denied to the 2,000 inhabitants of the Falkland Islands? Further, does the Minister agree that the Isles of Scilly—or even the Island of Mull—do not qualify for the democratic principle of holding a plebiscite?
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, a plebiscite is an unusual process within the British Commonwealth. The situation in the Falkland Islands is that there are some 1,200 electors, some 800 of whom are householders. We believe that the type of consultation we have in mind, which may take place over a period of years, is quite suitable and will be democratic. We believe that by this process —and I give the noble Viscount this assurance—not only Her Majesty's Government, but Parliament also, will be satisfied that the wishes of the people of the Falklands are clearly understood.