§ 27. Mr. Luceasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the most recent developments with regard to the relationship between the Falkland Islands and the United Kingdom.
Mr. James CallaghanThere have been no recent developments in the relationship between the Falkland Islands and the United Kingdom.
§ 35. Mr. Goodhartasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will hold a referendum in the Falkland Islands to ascertain whether the inhabitants wish to maintain their link with the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. RowlandsNo. Her Majesty's Government are well aware of the wishes of the islanders in this respect. A refendum would serve no useful purpose.
§ Mr. Michael Clark Hutchisonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the 232W new permanent airfield in the Falkland Islands to be completed.
§ Mr. RowlandsI would refer the hon. Member to my reply of 23rd January to the hon. Member for Harborough (Mr. Farr).—Nol. 903 c.617.]
§ Mr. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's proposals for the next session of the United Nations Law of the Sea Conference.
§ Mr. EnnalsThe Government have been engaged since the end of the Geneva session of the Conference in a wide-ranging series of contacts and consultations on the issues before the Conference. We are now actively preparing our position for the next session of the Conference, which will be held in New York from 15th March to 7th May 1976. Our overall policy will remain that of working for early agreement on a Convention generally acceptable to all States.