British Antarctic Territory

HC Deb 24 January 1989 vol 145 c473W

Mr. Shersby

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he proposes to take with regard to the administration of the British Antarctic Territory; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Eggar

The British Antarctic Territory was established as a separate dependent territory in 1962. Since then, as a matter of convenience, the territory has been administered by an high commissioner resident in Stanley. Following consideration of the future administrative needs of the territory, we have decided that from 1 July this year the administration of the BAT will be repatriated to London and that the commissioner will be a senior official of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The present high commissioner has been informed and is informing the Falkland Islands Councillors. The British Indian Ocean Territory has been similarly administered from London since 1977.