HL Deb 06 February 1979 vol 398 cc589-91

3.1 p.m

The Earl of LAUDERDALE

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 whether the term "scientific research" describing the scheme for co-operation agreed in principle between the United Kingdom and Argentine Governments on 20th December includes exploration of the continental shelf for hydro-carbons; what is the precise geographical area to which the agreement relates; for what period it will operate; and at what intervals Her Majesty's Government will report results to Parliament.

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, this scheme relates to co-operation in scientific research activities in and around the Dependencies of the Falkland Islands. It is not concerned with the Falkland Islands or with exploration for hydro-carbons. As I told the House on 16th January, it would be premature for me to give any further details of this scheme until our deliberations have been completed.

The Earl of LAUDERDALE

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that Answer, may I ask, if it does not relate to hydro-carbons, to what it does relate?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, it relates to a wide range of scientific questions, from meteorology to Antarctic questions generally. It is the kind of question that arises in conditions and circumstances of this geographical sort. The scope of the discussions, while not including hydro-carbons, is sufficiently wide not only to offer hope for development in the Dependencies but also perhaps to give added strength and confidence to the larger discussions which are proceeding amicably between us and Argentina in regard to the future of the Falklands.

Baroness EMMET of AMBERLEY

My Lords, will the Minister take into consideration the fact—and I have just come back from Argentina—that I find that the handling of the situation there by our representatives with the Argentinians on all sorts of matters is being extremely well conducted?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, I am most grateful to the noble Baroness who, as we all know, has extensive experience of Latin America. I shall be delighted to convey what she has said to my right honourable friend.

Lord ELTON

My Lords, does the ambit of these discussions cover the status of meteorological stations on the outlying outposts of the Falklands; and does this contribute to the greater discussions that he was speaking of?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

Yes, my Lords. I am glad that the noble Lord has, if I may say so, put his finger on the value of these talks. The illegal station in South Thule remains illegal. We have asserted, and continue to assert without reservation, our claim to sovereignty over South Thule, as indeed over these Dependencies generally. However, any discussions specifically aimed at advancing matters in the Dependencies can only help to resolve not only the disagreement about the station in South Thule but, as I said, the larger question of our relations with Argentina, a country with which, historically, we have for many years enjoyed close and fruitful relations.

Lord HARMAR-NICHOLLS

My Lords, in the overall, do the Government regard the sovereignty over the continental shelf around the Falklands as being British, without any sort of qualification?—so that we know where we stand.

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

Yes, my Lords.

The Earl of LAUDERDALE

My Lords, can the noble Lord answer the rest of my Question which related to the period during which this agreement operates and the intervals at which Her Majesty's Government will report to Parliament?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, I am afraid I did not catch the end of the noble Earl's supplementary question.

The Earl of LAUDERDALE

My Lords, it is on the Order Paper. The Questions are: For what period will this agreement operate; and at what intervals Her Majesty's Government will report results to Parliament?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, I apologise to the noble Earl and to the House. It is impossible at the moment to say for what period any agreement that arises will operate. As to the intervals at which we shall report to the House, I can only say that we will report to the House if and when agreement is reached and as frequently as the House feels that the Government should do so.

The Earl of LAUDERDALE

My Lords, is this agreement of indefinite duration?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, I should like to respond; but I am afraid I am not in a position to give even an approximate guess about this.