§ Mr. Luceasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will specify progress on plans to construct a permanent airfield in the Falkland Islands, including the dates by which the tenders were received ; when it is intended to commence construction ; and what is the date by which construction will be completed.
§ Mr. AmeryTenders for the construction of the permanent airfield were received on 9th November 1972. They are being subjected to detailed analysis. It is expected that the tender will be awarded by the end of March and that construction will be complete 24 months from that date, although the airfield could be operational before then.
§ Mr. Luceasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will confirm that there will be no change in the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands without the full consent of the Islanders.