§ Ms PerhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what exchanges he has had with the Government of Chile over the cancellation of Lan Chile flights to the Falkland Islands. [82659]
§ Mr. Ben ChapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he plans to make to the Government of Chile regarding their decree which prohibits Chilean carriers flying to the Falklands. [82055]
§ Mr. Robin CookLan Chile have not flown to the Falklands since 31 March, when their contract with the Falkland Islands Development Corporation expired. As the Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd), made clear in his answer to the hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs. Gillan) on 25 February 1999,Official Report, columns 451—53, the continuation of that contract after that date was a commercial matter for discussion between 183W Lan Chile and the Falkland Islands Development Corporation. On 19 April my hon. Friend reported that the Government of Chile had issued a Decree prohibiting Chilean carriers from flying to the Falklands with effect from 10 April.
I have now spoken to the Chilean Foreign Minister. I told him that we strongly disagree with his Government's Decree. I underlined that there was no justification for the Chilean Government taking such a measure and have urged Senor Insulza to reconsider it. I reminded him of the commercial and social benefits for remote communities, both in the Falklands and in southern Chile, of Lan Chile being allowed to continue flights to the Falklands.
We are in close touch with the Falkland Islands Government on alternative air links.