Falkland Islands

HC Deb 13 July 1983 vol 45 cc383-4W

Mr. George Robertson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make arrangements for the granting of honorary white status for any black British subject employed on the building of the airport on the Falkland Islands during any stay in South Africa.

Mr. Whitney

Our views on apartheid are well known. We are not, however, involved in any practical and administrative arrangements which the private commercial contractor may wish to make in staging the airfield construction work force through South Africa.

Mr. George Robertson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish details and costs for any purchases made in South Africa for the contract to build the airport in the Falklands which are charged to his Vote.

Mr. Whitney

We are not involved in any practical or administrative arrangements which the private commercial contractor may wish to make in staging the airfield construction work force through South Africa.

Mr. George Robertson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether additional British Government personnel will be stationed in South Africa during the contract for building the airport in the Falkland Islands.

Mr. Whitney

At this stage we do not envisage the need for any such reinforcement.

Mr. George Robertson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether any discussion has taken place between representatives of the British and South African Governments concerning the construction of the airport in the Falkland Islands.

Mr. Whitney

Following the statement to the House on 27 June by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence, the South African authorities informally sought clarification of some of the commercial and practical aspects of the arrangements to stage the airfield construction work force through South Africa. We have emphasised that Her Majesty's Government are not involved in these arrangements which are the responsibility of the commercial contractor.