§ LORD SORENSENMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the present position in the Falkland Islands.]
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (LORD SHEPHERD). My Lords, I cannot for the moment say more than that the discussions with the Argentine authorities are continuing, and that the talks are being conducted strictly in conformity with the assurances which have repeatedly been given to Parliament in this matter.
§ LORD SORENSENMy Lords, may I ask my noble friend whether that Answer implies that the Argentine Government has modified its previous demands in any way?
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, I think my noble friend knows that these discussions are being carried out in private and are confidential. Therefore it would be wrong for me to speculate and give the noble Lord an answer to his supplementary question.
§ LORD CARRINGTONMy Lords. is the noble Lord aware that there is on the tape a report that there will be an announcement about the negotiations on Friday? If that is so, will there be a 917 Statement to his House at the earliest possible opportunity?
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, I have seen that report on the tape. As I have said, I cannot go further than what I said in my original Answer. If there is anything that the House should be informed about, I will make certain that the House is so informed.
LORD INGLEWOODMy Lords, has the noble Lord managed successfully to dispel the idea widely held among the Falkland islanders—which I remember he tried to dispel in this House—that the Falkland Islands to-day are really more of a burden than an asset to the British Commonwealth?
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, I do not think I have ever attempted to do that because I do not think that was understood or put forward in the Falkland Islands.