HC Deb 22 June 1982 vol 26 c73W
Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government propose to implement recommendation volume 2, page 58 of the Shackleton report relating to a new mining (mineral oil) ordinance in the Falkland Islands for vesting mineral rights in the Crown and for the granting of licences.

Mr. Onslow

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has asked Lord Shackleton to review his report. After he has done so we shall consider this and other recommendations in the light of the review and of other studies concerning the future of the Falkland Islands.

Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many companies that applied to his Department for licences, or showed an interest in obtaining them, explored for oil and natural gas on the Falkland Islands' continental shelf in recent years.

Mr. Onslow

No company has applied for a licence. A number of companies have expressed varying degrees of interest in the hydrocarbon potential of the continental shelf adjacent to the Falkland Islands.

Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will update the list of recommendations of the Shackleton report and the action taken on each contained in the Official Report, 19 December 1979, c. 215–6, and in the Official Report, House of Lords, 5 July 1979, c. 633–44.

Mr. Onslow

The list of recommendations, and action taken on each, to which my hon. Friend refers, remains accurate. Lord Shackleton is updating his 1976 report. We shall then consider urgently what to do about any new recommendation.

Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what would be the cost of implementing recommendation volume 2, page 17, of the Shackleton report relating to the extension of the present airfield on the Falkland Islands by 900 metres.

Mr. Onslow

At least £12 million.

Mr. Marlow

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will consider the allocation of funds to the Falkland Islands Government as a means of stimulating a system of assisted resettlement to the islands.

Mr. Onslow

I shall write to my hon. Friend.