§ Mr. Ben ChapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent406W representations he has made to the Government of Chile about the prospective removal of the Lan Chile air link to the Falklands. [80216]
§ Mr. Tony LloydWe expressed our regret to the Chilean Government over their decision last December to ask Chilean carriers not to fly to the Falklands and said that we did not believe this to be justified. When we became aware recently that the Chilean Government were considering publishing a decree prohibiting Chilean carriers from flying to the Falklands, we told them that we would strongly regret such a measure. We are very disappointed that they have nevertheless published such a decree. Lan Chile have not been able to fly to the Islands since their contract with the Falkland Islands Development Corporation expired on 31 March. While we hope that they will be allowed to resume the flights, other options are under consideration. We are in close touch with the Falkland Islands Government on this.