§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what encouragement currently is being given to British companies to explore marine resources within existing British territorial waters around the Falkland Islands; and whether he is aware of any pressures designed to interfere with the proposed operations of such companies.
§ Mr. RowlandsOn the question of fishing, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply on 22nd March to the hon. Member for Surbiton (Sir N. Fisher). Development of the kelp resources around the Falkland Islands is the subject of an 433W agreement between the Falkland Islands Government and Alginate Industries Limited. I am not aware of any pressures designed to interfere with proposed operations by any companies.
§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Argentine Government consulted Her Majesty's Government before inviting applications for licences to fish in the South Atlantic including existing British territorial waters around the Falkland Islands.
§ Mr. RowlandsThe tenders invited recently by the Argentine Government are for fishing off the coast of Patagonia and do not cover existing British territorial waters around the Falkland Islands.
§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Argentine Government consulted Her Majesty's Government before inviting applications for licences to explore for oil in the South Atlantic including existing British territorial waters around the Falkland Islands.
§ Mr. RowlandsThe Argentine Government have not invited applications for licences to explore for oil in British territorial waters around the Falkland Islands.