§ Q9. Mr. Dalyellasked the Prime Minister when she now expects the Franks committee on the Falklands to report.
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§ The Prime Minister:At this stage I cannot say when it will report, but I continue to hope that the report can be completed within six months from the date on which it began its work.
Q13. Mr. loan Evansasked the Prime Minister when she intends to publish the report on the inquiry relating to the Falkland Islands.
§ The Prime Minister:Until the Committee of Privy Counsellors has reported, no date for publication can be fixed. It remains my hope that its report will be completed within six months from the date on which it began its work.
§ Q20. Mr. Lathamasked the Prime Minister whether she will make a statement on the latest progress in reconstruction on the Falkland Islands.
§ The Prime Minister:My hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the hon. Member for Woking (Mr. Onslow), visited the islands earlier this month to review the situation. Considerable progress has been achieved but many problems remain. About £8.5 million has been committed from the initial rehabilitation allocation of £10 million.
Much has been done to restore essential services. The power station is in full operation and can meet the demands of Port Stanley. Preparations are in hand to install a new generator. The water filtration plant is also just meeting demands and extra pumps are on order. As regards mines, the area of Stanley common has been cleared and the Stanley to Darwin road is open. Other mined areas have been fenced off and clearly marked. A map showing progress with mine clearance is regularly revised and made available to the civil population.
The present airport has been repaired and extended so that regular supplies of urgent reconstruction material can be delivered by Hercules flights. The runway has been extended to 6,100 feet and can also now be used by Phantom aircraft.
Large quantities of building materials are being ordered and shipped. They are being used to repair private and Government-owned houses which were damaged during the occupation, and will also be used to repair public buildings. A project for 54 new houses has been launched to replace homes destroyed during the occupation and to house additional personnel attached to the Falkland Islands Government.
Replacement vehicles and plant for various departments of the Falkland Islands Government have been ordered and shipped. Large consignments of solid fuel, kerosene, gas and aviation fuel have been sent to the islands. Three replacement aircraft for the islands' internal air service have been shipped. Thirty-four additional personnel for the Falkland Islands Government have been recruited.
Longer term rehabilitation requirements, such as the more permanent restoration and expansion of water, power, sewerage and road systems, and the harbour facilities and internal communications, are now being actively considered.