§ Sir A. Bossomasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement as to the existing situation regarding the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, which has been disputed by the Argentine Government; and what action is being taken.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydHer Majesty's Government have never agreed that there is any possible controversy about Her Majesty's title to the Falkland Islands themselves. As regards the Falkland Islands Dependencies, Her Majesty's Government have submitted the applications to the International Court at The Hague asking the Court to declare that the United Kingdom possesses valid legal titles to the sovereignty over the territories comprised in the Dependencies, and that the pretensions of other nations, their encroachments and pretended acts of sovereignty are illegal and invalid. Her Majesty's Government invited the Argentine and Chilean Governments voluntarily to place themselves within the jurisdiction of the International Court in order that this vexed matter may be decided. Those two Governments have informed the International Court that they are unwilling to do this. Meanwhile Her Majesty's
54Wthe Gold Coast in December, 1949, and in the last month for which figures are available; the number of children and teachers in each category of school on the same dates; and the number of persons attending courses of technical education during 1949, or the nearest year for which figures are available, and during 1954.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe numbers are:
Government is pursuing the programme of increased activity in the Dependencies, the main features of which have already been announced.