Treaty of Nootka Sound

HC Deb 07 February 1983 vol 36 c275W

Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list any United Kingdom obligations under the treaty of Nootka Sound in relation to former Spanish colonies.

Mr. Onslow

Under article 6 of the Nootka Sound convention 1790, Britain and Spain agreed not to make any settlement on the eastern or western coasts of South America, or on the adjacent islands to the south, already held by Spain. However, the convention was terminated in 1795 as a result of the war between Britain and Spain. In 1811 Spain evacuated the Falkland Islands and abandoned them, so that, although the convention was revived in 1814, it could not then be taken to apply to the Falkland Islands.