Falklands (Hansard, 29 April 1999)

§ Mr. Keetch
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Royal Air Force what assessment he has made of the effect on the Falkland Islands garrison of the decision of the Government of Chile to withdraw air links to the e Falkland Island; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Doug Henderson
The suspension of Lan Chile flights between Chile and the Falkland Island will have no effect on the Falkland Islands garrison.

§ Mr. Gill
To ask the Secretary of Sate for Defence what plans he has to meet the Falkland Islands Government's request for armaments for fisheries protection vessels; and if he will make a statement. [81960]

§ Mr. Keetch
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will announce his decision on the calibre of guns for Falkland Islands fishery protection vessels; and if he will make a statement. [81870]

§ Mr. Tony Lloyd
I have been asked to reply.
We take the matter of illegal fishing in the Falkland Islands seriously and it is our shared objective with the Falkland Islands Government to combat the problem. Illegal fishing has the potential to undermine the Falklands economy and attempts to conserve fish stocks. Recently, there have been up to an estimated 50 unlicensed vessels in Falklands activities. The number of vessels now appears to be declining.
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In January this year, we authorised the arming of a Fisheries Protection Vessel (FPV) with a 20mm Oerlikon cannon, which is the best weapon for the task of deterring illegal fishing and dealing with it, if necessary. The Falkland Islands Government (FIG) is responsible for the procurement and shipment of the cannon. This process has taken longer than anticipated. We have tried to help FIG speed up the shipment of the consignment but it cannot be carried on a passenger aircraft together with the ammunition needed. Accordingly, the Ministry of Defence has agreed to fly the cannon out on the next freight flight on 6 May.
FIG requested approval for temporary use of a smaller, 0.50 inch, machine gun on an FPV, as an interim measure. This request was carefully considered and a decision was made not to give approval. The machine gun is not a good visible deterrent and there are concerns that warning shots, which the FPV would be required to fire to alert a suspected unlicensed vessel, would not be seen or heard.
As a temporary measure, the Ministry of Defence has agreed to our request for one of the Royal Navy vessels stationed in the Falklands to accompany an FPV on its patrols. We have also made representations to the Taiwanese authorities in London and Taipei, as the majority of unlicensed vessels in Falklands waters are theirs. We shall continue to urge the Taiwanese authorities to bring their fleet under control.
We have received representations on this issue from FIG and its Fisheries Department, several MPs and from members of the public. Commercial operators who are licence-holders have made indirect representations.
We shall continue to support FIG in its attempts to combat illegal fishing.