HC Deb 19 June 1978 vol 952 cc79-80W
Sir Bernard Braine

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has taken over the harassment by Argentinian naval aircraft on 13th May of the Polish fishery transport vessel "Zulawy" anchored in Berkeley Sound with the full permission of the Falkland Islands Government.

Mr. Luard

We have formally protested to the Argentine Government about this violation of Falkland Islands airspace and left them in no doubt of our concern about unauthorised overflights of any kind and the need to avoid their repetition.

Sir Bernard Braine

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what answer he has received from the Argentinian authorities concerning his protest against the prolonged illegal occupation of part of the South Sandwich Islands, a dependency of the Falkland Islands.

Mr. Luard

The Argentine Government did not accept our protest. We are continuing to press the matter with them. Our chargé d'Affaires, who was recently in London for consultations, has returned to Buenos Aires with fresh instructions to reaffirm our sovereignty and explore ways of resolving this problem.

Sir Bernard Braille

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will invite the Argentinian Government to take the necessary action which will conclude the dispute over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands to be referred to the International Court at the Hague.

Mr. Luard

No. The Argentine Government would be unlikely to agree to refer the dispute to the International Court whose compulsory jurisdiction they do not recognise.

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