§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations(a) he and (b) the Falkland Islands' Governor have received from (i) the Falkland Islands Government and (ii) individual Falklands councillors about the withdrawal of the South Atlantic guardship. [110326]
§ Mr. BattleI refer to the answer of 27 January 2000 from my hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces to the hon. Member for Croydon, South 493W (Mr. Ottaway), Official Report, column 227W. In response to recent press speculation we have assured the Falkland Islands Government that there are no plans to withdraw the Falkland Islands Guardship or otherwise reduce naval patrols in the South Atlantic. The Governor of the Falkland Islands informed Legislative Councillors accordingly. They thanked the Governor for this assurance and expressed the view that it would not be appropriate to reduce such patrols.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Ministry of Defence about the diplomatic and security consequences of withdrawing the South Atlantic guard ship. [110333]
§ Mr. BattleMy right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I have had no such discussions with the Ministry of Defence. There are no plans to withdraw the Falkland Islands Guardship or otherwise reduce naval patrols in the South Atlantic.