§ Lord Ewing of Kirkfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the total population of the Falkland Islands; and what is the annual cost of the islands to the Treasury. [HL1491]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanAccording to the 1996 census, the population of the Falkland Islands is 2,221 (excluding military personnel and civilians at Mount Pleasant and including persons temporarily absent from the islands on the day of the census).
3WAThe Falkland Islands are financially self-sufficient in all areas other than defence.
The costs of maintaining the Falkland Islands garrison for 1997–98, which are included in the budget of the Commander of British Forces in the islands, amounted to some £74 million.