§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they intend to withdraw the British naval presence from (a) the South Atlantic and (b) the Falklands. [HL1209]
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Gilbert)The Government remain fully committed to defending the right of the Falkland Islanders to determine their own future. Force levels in the Falklands and the South Atlantic are kept under review to ensure that the resources necessary to guarantee the security of the Islands in the most appropriate and effective manner are available.