HC Deb 22 January 2002 vol 378 cc767-8W
Mr. Wray

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent meetings there have been with Argentine officials over the future of the Falkland Islands. [28345]

Mr. MacShane

The British Government have held no recent meetings with Argentina about the future status of the islands. We remain committed to the Falkland islanders' right to determine their own future and will not consider a change in the status of the islands unless they wish it. In all our dealings with Argentina we are clear that sovereignty over the Falklands is not open to negotiation.

Mr. Wray

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his policy on the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands. [28347]

Mr. MacShane

The Falkland Islands are British. There will be no change in the status of the islands unless that is the wish of the islands themselves.

Mr. Wray

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the circumstances are under which an Argentine national is able to settle on the Falkland Islands. [28346]

Mr. MacShane

The grant of permission to reside in the Falkland Islands is governed by the Falkland Islands' Immigration Ordinance 1999 and all persons, including British citizens, (who do not have Falkland Islands' status), require such permission to be able lawfully to reside in the Falkland Islands. The ordinance does not impose any special restrictions on the residence of Argentine citizens.

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