HC Deb 28 February 1951 vol 484 cc305-6W
118. Major Beamish

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made in discussions with the Argentine Government, which has recently reiterated its claims to the Falkland Islands; whether he is aware that the Argentinian Post Office has recently refused to recognise the legality of British stamped letters reaching that country from the Falkland Islands; and whether he will give an assurance that he will not make any promises to the Argentine Government on this matter without a full debate in the House of Commons.

Mr. Ernest Davies

No such discussions are taking place and the last part of the Question does not therefore arise. With regard to the second part of the Question, this is not a new problem, and I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply I gave on 19th June, 1950, and the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General on 5th July, 1950. The Argentine Government recently re-stated their attitude with regard to this matter and the Postmaster-General therefore registered a further protest with the Director of the International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union on 6th January, 1951.