HC Deb 20 January 1989 vol 145 cc361-2W
Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what were the circumstances surrounding the incident involving the Falkland Islands ferry on Monday 16 January; if he will consider the suspension of service until a proper agreement on it can be reached; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Eggar

The Indiana I is a Bahamian-registered cargo vessel which entered Montevideo on 16 January on commercial business with a cargo from the Falkland Islands. A small number of Argentine nationals staged a demonstration. We understand that the Indiana I is operated, and conducts her business, in accordance with normal shipping law and practice. She is not operating a regular ferry service and no separate agreement has been entered into or is required. While we have no standing in the matter, we welcome any normalisation of links between the Falkland Islands and the south American mainland.

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