§ Mr. Rowlandsasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will make a statement on the recent talks with the Argentine Government concerning the Falkland Islands.
§ Mr. LuceMy hon. Friend the Member for Cirencester and Tewkesbury (Mr. Ridley), the Minister of State, met an Argentine delegation led by the Under-Secretary of State at the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Comodoro Cavandoli, for wide-ranging and exploratory talks in New York on 28 and 29 April. A Falkland Islands Councillor, Mr Adrian Monk, attended as a member of the United Kingdom delegation. The exchanges were conducted in a cordial and positive spirit. Each side was able to reach a better understanding of the other's position. No decisions were taken, though it was agreed that contacts on day to day matters between the Islands and Argentina should be expanded. Each delegation is now reporting back to its Government and we shall be considering the position reached. We hope to continue these exchanges.