§ 31. Mr. Stan Thorneasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the date of the most recent communication he has had with the Government of Argentina concerning the future of the Falkland Islands.
§ Mr. RentonWhilst we are not prepared to discuss the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, we have since the Falklands conflict take a number of initiatives to achieve more normal bilateral relations with Argentina. For example, we have made plain to the Argentines our readiness to accept a suitably prepared visit by next-of-kin of Argentine service men buried there.
§ 63. Sir John Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will 407W make it his policy, failing the early establishment of a multilaterally-based conservation and management regime for fisheries in the waters around the Falkland islands, to declare a 200-mile fisheries zone.
§ Mr. RentonOur current policy is to work actively for the establishment of a multilaterally-based fisheries conservation and management regime around the Falkland Islands.
§ 67. Mr. Campbell-Savoursasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has made any assessment of the practicability of resettlement with compensation for the Falkland islanders.
§ Mr. RentonThe Falkland islanders have consistently made clear, through their elected representatives, their desire to remain resident in the islands. Many of their families have been in the Falklands for over five generations. We shall continue to protect their right to live there in peace and security under a Government of their own choosing.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will estimate the number and type of fishing vessels to be found at any one time within a 200-mile radius around the Falkland Islands; and what information he has as to what they are fishing for.
§ Mr. RentonWe currently estimate that since the beginning of 1985 a daily average of about 60 fishing and ancillary vessels have been seen within the Falkland Islands protection zone. They have comprised trawlers, squid jiggers and support vessels. Our information suggests that the main catch is currently squid.