§ Lord James Douglas-Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will give the estimated additional cost of developing Stanley airport in the Falklands to such an extent that it would be able to accommodate civilian aircraft as well as military aircraft.
§ Mr. Rifkind:Proposals for future airport facilities in the Falkland Islands are still under consideration and it is not yet possible to give any costings for facilities that may be required. Planning of airport facilities will take into consideration the needs of foreseeable civil air operations.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what would be the required length of a developed runway at Stanley airport in the Falklands, in order to accommodate long-haul civilian aircraft, including VC10s.
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§ Mr. Rifkind:There are numerous considerations which would have to be taken into account before any airport in the Falkland Islands could be cleared for long-haul civil operations. However, the basic requirement on the length of runway for a regular civil operation between the Falklands and Ascension Island would be a minimum of 8,500 feet and an additional 1,000 feet of clearway—that is an area without obstruction under the control of the airport authorities.
§ Lord James Douglas Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the total civilian population of the Falkland Islands(a)at the latest available date and(b)one year previously; and how many of these are (i) permanent and (ii) temporary residents.
§ Mr. Rifkind:The most recent census of the Falkland Islands, taken on 7 December 1980, recorded a total civilian population of 1,813. The census did not differentiate between permanent and temporary residents. Population statistics for 1979 are not available.