§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the South Sandwich Islands have been claimed by the Argentine Government; and whether they have in fact occupied any of the islands.
§ Mr. PymArgentina has claimed sovereignty over the South Sandwich Islands (of which Southern Thule is one) for more than 30 years. An Argentine scientific station has been on Southern Thule since the end of 1976. We have no doubts about British sovereignty and our legal position is fully protected. There are no British inhabitants on the islands. The current situation there is not clear.