§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the recent United Nations vote on the Falklands defined the Falklands as including the dependencies.
§ Mr. OnslowNo. The resolution refers only to "the Falkland Islands (Malvinas)". This, in our view, does not include the Falkland Islands Dependencies.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government have a planned time scale for commencing negotiations with Argentina on the future of the Falkland Islands; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. OnslowNo. What is needed is a fundamental change in the Argentine attitude.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether facilities will be made available to assist with building materials and construction equipment homesteaders going to the Falklands.
§ Mr. OnslowThis is in the first instance a matter for the Falkland Islands Government who are now examining the possibilities. I have no doubt that they will advise us in due course if they consider that such a scheme is desirable.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what statements have been made in the past month by President Bignone of Argentina about that country's policy towards a peaceful solution of the Falklands conflict; and what response Her Majesty's Government have made.
29W
§ Mr. OnslowThe Argentine Government have made no formal statement of its policy to us, although I understand that President Bignone said in a television broadcast on 5 November that Argentina was resolved to achieve a peaceful solution to the Falkland Islands issue. Such a policy would be welcome. However, other Argentina military leaders continue to issue beligerent statements, and the Junta still refuses to declare a definitive cessation of hostilities in the South Atlantic or to renounce the future use of force.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether any special steps are being taken to preserve the fragile life-style of the Falkland islanders.
§ Mr. OnslowMinisters are well aware of the need to preserve the Falkland Islands' way of life as far as possible, and are taking the islanders' views fully into account in deciding on proposals for the future development of the islands.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the statement of the Minister of State, Official Report, 4 November, c. 209, when he hopes to make a statement on the completion of his study of air runways in the Falklands, taking into account civil and military needs; and if he has now studied the diversion scheme of the Austral Islands in the Southern Pacific in relation to the Falklands.
§ Mr. OnslowPlanning for future airport facilities in the Falkland Islands is still under active study. Before civil air operations are established, very thorough consideration will be given to all possible diversion arrangements.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the speech of the Minister of State on 4 November, Official Report, c. 211, if Her Majesty's Government have completed their consideration of the matter of negotiations between Argentina and the United States of America on the Falkland Islands; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. OnslowThe issue raised falls within the terms of reference of the review being conducted by the Committee of Privy Councillors, chaired by Lord Franks, on the events leading up to the Argentine invasion on 2 April. Until the committee has reported, it would not be appropriate to give an answer to this question.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek to hold discussions with the Government of Brazil about the future of the Falkland Islands.
§ Mr. OnslowI have no present plans to do so.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Russians about krill fishing in the Falklands.
§ Mr. OnslowNone.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has for the provision of internal transport in the Falklands, including the use of a Ben-Huey helicopter.
§ Mr. OnslowAt present internal air transport in the Falklands is provided by the military authorities. One Beaver and two Islander aircraft have been ordered as30W replacements for the severely-damaged FIGAS aircraft. The first of these is expected to reach the Islands in early December and should be operational by the end of the year. We hope that arrangements can be made to enable the captured Bell-Huey helicopter to operate a civilian passenger service in the near future.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what needs exist for local produce to supply the troops in the Falklands; what assistance Her Majesty's Government are offering to those who wish to purchase land in the Falklands in order to provide this produce; and whether Her Majesty's Government will consider the long-term position of those who may emigrate to the islands with the aim of supplying produce and whose livelihoods would subsequently be affected by a reduction in troop numbers in the islands.
§ Mr. OnslowIn considering the future economic development of the islands, the Government are well aware that the civilian population should not become too dependent on the garrison. There is close liaison between the civil and military authorities on the islands and such questions as the supply of local produce for the troops are regularly discussed. Development assistance of all kinds is under active consideration by Ministers in the context of the proposals in the Shackleton economic study.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will consult with Mr. Ted Needham, chairman of Coalite, on plans to sell off 50-acre plots to potential homesteaders;
(2) what consultations he has had with representatives of the Falkland Islanders on the proposed sale by Coalite of 50-acre plots of land, between Stanley and Darwin, and whether he will ensure that no decision is taken unless the approval of those currently living on the islands is secured.
§ Mr. OnslowThe chairman of the Falkland Islands Company called on me on 3 November to discuss various aspects of his recent visit to the islands. He told me in general terms about the possibility of the sale of 50-acre plots, which is entirely a matter for his company, and which I understand he has already mentioned to the Falkland Islands Government.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will ensure that the views of the Falklands Islanders are sought, if necessary by a referendum, before Her Majesty's Government commit themselves to using large parts of the islands as battle training areas.
§ Mr. OnslowIt has always been the practice to seek permission from the owners of any land in the Falkland Islands used for military purposes. I am not aware of any objections by them or other islanders to actual or proposed military activities. They are free to express their views through their elected representatives, the Falkland Islands councillors.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the files relating to the Falkland Islands which have been withdrawn from the Public Record Office for research by his Department; and when he expects that these files will be returned.
§ Mr. OnslowNo. As I explained in my letter to the hon. Member of 6 July, such a list could only be produced 31W at disproportionate expense. Files which are no longer required are returned promptly to the Public Record Office.