§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date replacement stone crushing machinery was requested by the Falkland Islands Government; on what date it was landed in Port Stanley; and what is its estimated daily capacity for crushing Falkland quartz.
§ Mr. RaisonA request was received on 30 August 1982. After further exchanges on specification an order was placed on 28 October. The equipment reached Port Stanley on 5 March. Its estimated hourly capacity for stone crushing is 60–80 tons.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the timetable for legislation for the setting up by the Falkland Islands Government of the Falkland Islands Development Corporation.
§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made towards setting up the Falkland Islands Development Agency and the appointment of a chief executive.
§ Mr. RaisonDraft local legislation of the establishment of the Falkland Islands Development Authority is under active consideration in London and in Port Stanley. We expect it to be considered shortly by the Executive and Legislative Councils in the islands.
Final terms of reference for the chief executive must await approval of the legislation, but I have been making informal inquiries about potential candidates for this key post.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 21 34W February, Official Report, c. 304, what requests he has received from the Falkland Islands Government about teaching posts.
§ Mr. RaisonNone.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received from Dr. Alison Bleaney, senior medical officer at Port Stanley hospital, on anxiety symptoms of local residents.
§ Mr. RaisonDr. Bleaney reported some symptoms of stress amongst certain sections of the community to medical advisers from the overseas development administration who recently visited the Islands. Access to the beaches and moorland immediately surrounding Port Stanley remains severely restricted and this is causing anxiety to younger people, particularly those with small children.