§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date Argentinians occupied Southern Thule; whether, apart from arrangements under the International Antarctic Treaty, there has been any other such foreign occupation of any part of the Falkland Islands or their dependencies since they became British territory; to what extent the Argentinian armed forces 161W have been involved; what report he received from His Excellency the Governor and Commander-in-Chief, and when; what action has been taken in the matter; and when he proposes to make a full statement to the House.
§ Mr. RowlandsThe Argentines carried out scientific work on Southern Thule in the 1954 and 1956 Antarctic seasons and established their present scientific station in late 1976. There have been no other cases of unauthorised foreign activity in the Falkland Islands, South Georgia or the South Sandwich Islands. Argentine Service personnel provide logistic support for Argentina's Antarctic scientific activities. We have remained in communication with the Governor throughout, and he has reported that the Islands councillors know of and fully support our actions to protect British sovereignty. We have left the Argentines in no doubt that we consider Southern Thule to be British territory and are pursuing this matter with them.