Falkland Islands

HC Deb 13 June 1977 vol 933 cc7-8W

Sir Nigel Fisher

asked the Minister of Overseas Development (1) when the four feasibility studies which she is undertaking arising from the Shackleton Report, and recommended by the Falkland Islands Government, will be completed;

(2) what plans she has to implement the recommendations contained in the Shackleton Report on the Falkland Islands.

Mrs. Hart

Certain recommendations fall either to the private sector to implement or to the Falkland Islands Government themselves. Some of the major suggestions which do or might involve aid, such as a possible extension of the airport and the development of fisheries and tourism, would require prior investigation which I would be prepared to initiate only when a framework of political and economic co-operation with Argentina has been established.

My advisers are at present considering a proposal from the Falkland Islands Government for a new school hostel in Stanley. At the Government's request I am setting up a study of internal communications covering the air service, roads and coastal shipping, to see what the needs in this field are and how they can best be met. I hope it will be completed not later than early next year.

I am prepared to set up feasibility studies in other areas recommended in the Shackleton Report when the Falkland Islands Government request them, including sheepskin processing, mutton freezing and local television. I have also offered to provide advice to the Government if and when they enter into negotiations with any commercial enterprises that are

Kingdom, have signed technical co-operation agreements with the Government of Cuba.

Mrs. Hart

In 1975, the last year for which statistics are currently available, four other EEC countries disbursed aid to Cuba. The details are as follows:

prepared to explore those Shackleton recommendations which fall outside the aid programme.

The already considerable technical cooperation programme in the Falklands covers several of the Shackleton proposals, including an expanding grasslands trials unit and the provision of fiscal advice, which is an essential preliminary to any social and economic development.