§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will arrange a comprehensive investigation into the complaints made by Mr. Mike Bingham, a resident at Stanley in the Falkland Islands as requested in his letter of 9 October in relation to the Governor's action in suspending Mr. Bingham's residency on 28 May 1998, and associated matters relating to his residency; and if he will make a statement. [95330]
§ Mr. BattleThe Government are aware of the allegations made by Mr. Bingham against the Falkland Islands Government. We have consulted the Governor of the Falkland Islands who has investigated the matter thoroughly. We have no grounds to believe that there has been maladministration on the part of the Falkland Islands Government or the Royal Falkland Islands Police in their dealings with Mr. Bingham. Some of the matters raised 917W by Mr. Bingham are between himself and his former employer, Falklands Conservation, which is entirely independent of the Falkland Islands Government.
Mr. Bingham already has a Residence Permit, valid until September 2000. It is his application for a Permanent Residence Permit which is under review. This process has been complicated by the various legal difficulties to which Mr. Bingham has been subject. The Governor is satisfied that the Falkland Islands Executive Council has handled the consideration of Mr. Bingham's applications for permanent residence status properly and impartially.