Falkland Islands

HC Deb 25 January 1985 vol 71 cc549-50W

Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his estimate of the total cost against his budget of maintaining the Falkland Islands for the present financial year; and what are the corresponding figures for 1982–83 and 1983–84.

Mr. Renton

There is no provision in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office budget for the normal cost of maintaining the Falkland Islands. Normal expenditure is met from the Falkland Islands Government revenues.

Provision has, however, been made in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office budget for rehabilitation and development aid, and for the cost of the Diplomatic Service personnel in Port Stanley. These costs are approximately as follows:

	Rehabilitation and Development Aid £ million	Diplomatic Service Personnel £
1982–83	10	152,000
1983–84	6	170,000
1984–85*	8	187,000
* Estimate.