HC Deb 30 January 1984 vol 53 cc92-3W
Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many (a) carpenters, (b) bakery workers, (c) laundry workers, and (d) masons are in employment in the Falklands.

Mr. Whitney

The figures relating to the Falkland Islands Government and indigenous companies and contractors are as follows:

  1. (a) Seven plus 4 apprentices,
  2. (b) none,
  3. (c) none,
  4. (d) none.

Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the visit of Baroness Young to the Falkland Islands: and what discussions she held with Councillor Cheek.

Mr. Whitney

My right hon. and noble Friend visited the Falkland Islands from 11 to 17 January. She had the opportunity to talk with the civil and military commissioners and their staffs, with the island counsellors, including Councillor Cheek, and with many other islanders. In these discussions, at a public meeting on 16 January, and in her calls on nine settlements, my right hon. and noble Friend had the opportunity to hear the views of the islanders on a range of political, economic and other matters. She was able to explain that we do not intend to enter into negotiations about the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, but that we wish to develop more normal relations with Argentina, and that we are determined to stand by our commitments to the Falkland Islanders.

Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to deal with the problems of pollution from sewage and fuel spillage from ships and town in inner Port Stanley harbour.

Mr. Whitney

Recent analyses of samples of water from Port Stanley harbour confirm that no such problems exist. The Falkland Islands Government will continue to monitor the situation closely.

Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has now reached a decision on the request from the Falkland Islands for the permanent establishment of fishery protection areas.

Mr. Whitney

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hastings (Mr. Warren) on 16 December.—[Vol. 50, c.72.]

Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Foreign Office file referred to in the answer to the hon. Member for Linlithgow of 23 January, Official Report, c. 394, was withdrawn from public scrutiny.

Mr. Whitney

The record to which the hon. Member refers has never been available for public scrutiny. It has been withheld from the public domain under section 5(1) of the Public Records Act of 1958. An instrument to this effect was signed by the Lord Chancellor on 22 December 1970.