§ EARL COWLEYasked Her Majesty's Government:
- (a) to what extent the negotiations between the Government of Argentina and Her Majesty's Government concerning communications between the Falkland Islands and Argentina have progressed and when Her Majesty's Government think these negotiations will be completed;
- (b) if the above negotiations are not successful, what plans Her Majesty's Government have made for communications between the Falkland Islands and the South American continent after June, 1971.
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANAs my right honourable friend, the Minister 205WA of State, said in another place on November 16, 1970, it was agreed in that year that we should make every effort to reach agreement with the Argentine Government on communications. It was also agreed chat further meetings should be held in Buenos Aires and Port Stanley. A round of talks, with Islands participation, is planned to take place in Buenos Aires between June 21 and 30. The Foreign and Commonwealth officials who will take part in these talks will visit the Falkland Islands beforehand. The matters 206WA under consideration arc practical ones, and sovereignty is not on the agenda.
We hope that these talks may lead to improved communications and to economic benefits for the Falkland Islands. In any case, Her Majesty's Government will help the Falkland Islands Government to ensure that adequate communications are maintained.
House adjourned at eighteen minutes past one o'clock a m.