§ 36. Sir John Farrasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Falkland Islands Council concerning the development of mineral resources in the seas around the Falkland Islands.
§ Mr. RifkindWe are in regular contact with the Falkland Islands Government, through the civil commissioner about this and other economic issues.
§ 43. Mr. Home Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the document on the future of the Falklands agreed by parliamentary delegations from the United Kingdom and Argentina at recent talks in the United States of America, a copy of which has been sent to him.
§ 50. Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has considered 527W the paper on the future of the Falklands agreed by parliamentary delegations from the United Kingdom and Argentina in recent talks in the United States of America, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RifkindMy right hon. and learned Friend has carefully studied the document adopted at the Maryland conference. It refers to a discussion with Argentina of "all aspects of the future of the Islands;" but this is no more than a euphemism for the discussion of sovereignty. The document then reiterates the Argentine insistence of linkage between discussion of practical ways to improve our bilateral relations and discussion of sovereignty, which remains the obstacle to progress.
We are not prepared to discuss the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands. The way ahead must be through agreement on practical issues of interest of both this country and Argentina. We look to the Argentine Government for a constructive reply to the message we sent them earlier this year.