§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government's willingness to negotiate with the Argentine Government in the event of their withdrawing troops 155W extends to the dependencies of the Falkland Islands which were not occupied by them in the early part of the last century.
§ Mr. OnslowThe Argentine claim extends to both the Falkland Islands and the Falkland Islands dependencies. However, until all Argentine troops have withdrawn from the Falkland Islands and the dependencies, it would be premature to speculate on what any subsequent negotiations might cover.
§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, as part of any settlement of the Falkland Islands dispute, he will take steps to obtain (a) the right of the Falkland Islanders to self-determination and (b) an undertaking by the Government of the United States of America of the guaranteeing of their rights.
§ Mr. OnslowThe islanders' right to self-determination has always been central to the Government's position on the Falkland Islands. It remains so. We are ready to consider any effective means of guaranteeing the islanders' rights. In the present situation, the first requirement, however, is the withdrawal of the Argentine occupying forces, in accordance with Security Council resolution No. 502, and the Government have welcomed the role of the United States Secretary of State in trying to achieve this.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what electricity is available on the Falkland Islands; how it is produced; and whether oil fuel supplies continue to be available during the blockade.
§ Mr. OnslowThree diesel generators supply electricity on a 24-hour basis to Port Stanley. Most farms and settlements have their own private diesel generators. Deliveries of diesel to the islands are made about every 18 months. None has been due since the declaration of the maritime exclusion zone, or for several months to come.