HC Deb 23 March 1978 vol 946 cc658-9W
Mr. Kenneth Clarke

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the extent of British sovereignty over the mineral rights of the continental shelf of the Falkland Islands; and whether there is any legal dispute over these rights between the United Kingdom and Argentina.

Mr. Rowlands

As a consequence of its sovereignty over the Falkland Islands the United Kingdom enjoys sovereign rights over the continental shelf adjacent to the islands for the purpose of exploring it and exploiting its mineral resources in the same way as in respect of its other territories. As the hon. Member will be aware, the Government of the Argentine Republic dispute United Kingdom sovereignty over the Falkland Islands.

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