§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if any reference of the issue of sovereignty over the Falkland Islands to the International Court of Justice would require the prior agreement of both parties.
§ Mr. WhitneyA reference to the International Court of Justice by one party would not require the prior agreement of the other; but the court would not be able to act on the reference unless it was established that both parties were willing to consent to the exercise of the court's jurisdiction.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many offences involving (a) members of the armed forces and (b) contract construction workers have been investigated by the Falkland Islands police force over any convenient period over the last six months.
§ Mr. WhitneyThe Military Police, not the Falkland Islands police, are responsible for investigating offences involving members of the armed forces. Investigations by the Falkland Islands police have led to the conviction of three contractors' employees during the last six months.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made by Chief Superintendent Bill Richards of the Falkland Islands police concerning the level of crime on the islands by members of the armed forces and contract construction workers.
§ Mr. WhitneyI have been advised by the Falkland Islands Government that questions relating to policing the Islands are under consideration by the chief police officer and the Government secretariat.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Government now expect to reach a conclusion about establishing a 200-mile fishing zone around the Falkland Islands; and what consultations the Government are having with other countries and other interested bodies about the proposal.
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§ Mr. WhitneyI refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 30 January, at column 93.