§ 37. Sir Anthony Royleasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has taken to show appreciation to the Uruguayan embassy in 238W London for the assistance that authorities in Montevideo have given to wounded British Service men during the Falklands war.
§ Mr. OnslowI invited the Uruguayan ambassador to call on 25 June, and took the opportunity to express the warm appreciation of the British Government to the Uruguayan authorities for the humanitarian assistance which they have given in a number of ways during the Falkland Islands conflict, including over the return home via Montevideo of British casualties.
§ Mr. Arnoldasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list by grade the number of officials now responsible to him in the Falkland Islands.
§ Mr. HurdThe following staff have arrived or will shortly arrive in the Falklands:
- 1 Civil Commissioner (Senior Grade)
- 1 Political Adviser (DS5)
- 1 Press Officer (DS5)
- 1 Registrar/Administration Officer (DS9)
They will be reinforced in the next day or two by;
- 1 Assistant to the Governor (DS7)
- 1 Registrar (DS10)
- 2 Secretaries (S2)
Three technical co-operation officers (overseas development Administration) are employed on the grasslands field trial:
- 1 Veterinary Officer
- 1 Sheep Husbandry Officer
- 1 Goose Ecologist
Four other members of the trial team will travel to the Falkland Islands as soon as practicable:
- 1 Agronomist
- 1 Assistant Agronomist
- 1 Animal Husbandry Expert
- 1 Agricultural Biochemical Laboratory Technician
§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government will meet the cost of repairs to civilian property damaged as a result of the invasion of the Falkland Islands.
§ Mr. OnslowThe task force on the islands is giving all the assistance it can over repairs that are urgently required. One of the priority tasks of the civil commissioner is to assess and report on further requirements. The Government will give urgent attention to his assessment.
§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements Her Majesty's Government have made to handle work on immediate problems of rehabilitation in the Falkland Islands.
§ Mr. OnslowA start has been made on the urgent task of rehabilitation. A great deal of work will need to be done and the Government attach a high priority to it. A Falkland Islands rehabilitation unit has been established in the South America department of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Its principal task will be to co-ordinate rehabilitation work, in consultation with other Government Departments concerned and with the Falkland Islands Government.
§ Sir Anthony Royleasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in addition to the obligations of Her Majesty's Government, and the availability of the South Atlantic fund referred to in his answer of 24 June to the hon. Member for Richmond, 239W Surrey, he will request the Governor of Hong Kong to launch a fund supported by both the Hong Kong Government and the public to provide extra financial support for those families bereaved by the death of Hong Kong sailors and Service men killed fighting for the United Kingdom in the Falklands war.
§ Mr. RifkindDespite tragic losses, such a request would not be appropriate. People in Hong Kong are already aware that contributions may be directed to the South Atlantic fund which of course covers Hong Kong personnel in the task force, who made such a valuable contribution to the success of the operation.