§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many expatriate persons, including husbands, wives and children, but excluding the armed forces, are currently living in the Falkland Islands whether on temporary assignment or indefinitely.
§ Mr. OnslowThe latest complete figures are those given in the census of 7 December 1980, which showed that out of a total population (excluding all Armed Forces personnel) of 1,812 people, 452 were born outside the304W Falkland Islands. The latter figure included some born of parents normally resident in the islands. There are currently 62 British expatriates working in the islands on temporary assignments, recruited by the Overseas Development administration for the Overseas Service aid scheme and the technical co-operation programme. It would require disproportionate effort to obtain more detailed information.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether Her Majesty's Government offer any advice to individuals planning to settle in the Falkland Islands; and whether any particular advice is given to women as to the remote nature of life on the islands;
(2) if Her Majesty's Government will seek to arrange for prospective settlers to the Falkland Islands to have the opportunity to discuss with a representative group of islanders resident in the United Kingdom the nature of life in the islands.
§ Mr. OnslowImmigration into the Falkland Islands is a matter for the Falkland Islands Government, whose recently established office in London is ready to give all relevant advice to any inquirer.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Port Stanley town hall is now available for use by Falkland Islanders for social events.
§ Mr. OnslowYes.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what claims for compensation Her Majesty's Government have received from James Hamilton Estates, owners of Saunders Island, West Falklands, for damage to wool or other property arising out of recent hostilities.
§ Mr. OnslowJohn Hamilton Estates claimed compensation, but no funds have been paid to it.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment Her Majesty's Government have made of the deterioration of farms in the Falkland Islands such as Saunders Island, owned by John Hamilton Estates, which is based in Argentina; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. OnslowSuch questions are being taken fully into account in the wider assessment currently in progress of the whole question of land ownership in the Falkland Islands. John Hamilton Estates is a trust based in Jersey, not in Argentina.