HL Deb 03 February 1971 vol 314 cc1188-9
LORD SORENSEN

My 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 of the Falkland Islands in respect of the Argentinian claims made on this British territory.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN)

My Lords, as my right honourable friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs made clear in another place on July 20 last year, Her Majesty's Government's position is that in deciding the future of the Falkland Islands there can be no question of any transfer of sovereignty against the wishes of the inhabitants.

LORD SORENSEN

My Lords, while thanking the noble Marquess for that reply, may I ask him whether it implies that the Argentinian Government are still pressing their claim? Meanwhile, may I ask whether the people of the Falkland Islands are living now in tranquillity? Thirdly, can the noble Marquess say whether the dispute has affected the economy of the islands to any extent?

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, may I answer the last question first? The Falkland Islands' economy, as I understand it, has not been affected in any way. They are living in "tranquillity", as the noble Lord put it. His first point regarding sovereignty is not really an issue at the moment. Talks are going on, but they are entirely concerned with matters of communication.

LORD BLYTON

My Lords, is the noble Marquess aware that the will of the people of the Falkland Islands was taken by referendum? The decision was supported, and I am pleased with the outcome. Can we not have a referendum among the British people with regard to Britain's entry into the Common Market?

LORD SHINWELL

My Lords, can the noble Marquess explain why we should congratulate the people of the Falkland Islands (and I share in those congratulations) in refusing to abandon their sovereignty, when we are so ready—apart from the majority of people in this country, who are perhaps more intelligent than the minority—to abandon our sovereignty and enter the Common Market?

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, I think we are straying on to somewhat different grounds.