§ Sir Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the availability of(a) charter and (b) scheduled flights to the Falkland Islands; and what plans Her Majesty's Government has to bring about an increase in the (i) capacity and (ii) frequency of flights to the Islands. [162635]
§ Mr. RammellNo charter flights are currently operating to and from the Falkland Islands. One weekly Lan Chile scheduled service operates between Chile and the Falkland Islands. There is also a regular flight between the UK and the Falkland Islands, via Ascension Island. The Falkland Island Development Corporation and Her Majesty's Government continue to look at ways of increasing the capacity and frequency of flights to the Falkland Islands.
I refer the hon. Gentleman to my recent written statements of 19 January 2004, Official Report, columns 51–52WS and 1 March 2004, Official Report, columns 73–74WS.
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§ Sir Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to Argentina about the introduction of an open skies policy on charter flights to the Falkland Islands; and if he will make a statement. [162636]
§ Mr. RammellI discussed charter flights with Argentine Foreign Minister Bielsa during my recent visit to Argentina. I refer the hon. Gentleman to my written statement of 1 March on the issue of air links between the Falkland Islands and mainland South America,Official Report, columns 73–74WS.
§ Sir Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the Argentine Government's policy on use of its airspace by(a) charter and (b) scheduled flights to the Falkland Island originating in Chile. [162637]
§ Mr. RammellThe weekly Lan Chile flights between Chile and the Falkland Islands are covered by the UK/ Argentina 1999 Joint Statement. On charter flights, I refer the hon. Gentleman to the written statement I made on 1 March on the issue of air links between the Falkland Islands and mainland South America,Official Report, columns 73–74WS.
§ Sir Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government not to enter into negotiations with the Government of Argentina on sovereignty of the Falkland Islands; and if he will make a statement. [162638]
§ Mr. RammellIt is the policy of Her Majesty's Government not to enter into negotiations with the Government of Argentina on sovereignty of the Falkland Islands. Her Majesty's Government have no doubts about their sovereignty of the Falkland Islands and their surrounding maritime areas.