§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will investigate the inhibiting effect of iceberg movement on oil exploration in Falkland Islands dependency waters; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. OnslowThe movement of icebergs in the waters of the Falkland Islands dependencies is not predictable except in terms of a few hours. If any attempt were made to drill for oil in these waters the rig would need to be capable of disengaging and moving out of the path of the threatening iceberg. Most Antarctic icebergs are too large to be deflected from their course.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will estimate the value to British industry of ancillary works on the Falkland Islands.
§ Mr. OnslowIt is not possible at this stage to estimate the benefit to British industry of work on the establishment of the garrison in the Falkland Islands or on longer-tern development projects undertaken in the light of Lord Shackleton's report. £10 million has already been made available for the programme of civil rehabilitation and it is intended that as much as possible of this allocation and all other expenditure on the Falklands should be spent in the British market.