§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the position of the British Antarctic survey's establishment in Grytviken and Bird Island in South Georgia; and how many staff are employed on each site.
§ Mr. PymAt the time of the Argentine invasion of South Georgia there were 13 British Antarctic survey personnel at Grytviken, 4 at Bird Island, 4 at the Lyell Glacier hut, 2 at Schlieper Bay and 3 together with 2 wild life television film producers at St. Andrew's Bay. The position of those at Grytviken is not yet clear. Those at other places, according to our latest information, are safe and well. Further information is being sought urgently in order to arrange for the safe return of all concerned.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current position of the 484W following locations of the British Antarctic survey: Signy, Faraday, Rothera and Halley and the number of staff engaged at each site; and whether there has been any evidence of intervention by the Argentine Government.
§ Mr. PymThere has been no evidence of intervention by the Argentine Government at any of the British Antarctic survey stations in the Antarctic Treaty area. All stations are continuing to pursue their normal scientific research programmes. There are 13 men at Signy, 13 at Faraday, 13 at Rothera and 19 at Halley.