§ 75. Mr. Hurdasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent there have been any fresh attempts to encroach on British sovereignty in the Falkland Island Dependencies; and if he will give an assurance that no intruders have been allowed to establish themselves in the territory.
§ Mr. HopkinsonI assume that my hon. Friend has in mind a public statement by the Argentine Ministry of Aviation, last December, that it was intended to establish a permanent Argentine military air base on Dundee Island in the Falkland Islands Dependencies. On inquiry by H.M. Ambassador, the Argentine 167W Government categorically denied that they had any intention of establishing such a base at Dundee Island.
H.M. frigate "Nereide" paid a routine visit to the Dependencies at that time, and the Royal Research Ship "John Biscoe" landed a party on Dundee Island. The only intruders found were three Argentine personnel, to whom a protest was handed at their unauthorised presence there.