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195
Falkland Islands
2 DECEMBER 1980
be affected, and that it is therefore a sensible decision?
Mr. Pym: I am grateful for what the hon. Gentleman has said.
Mr. John Farr (Harborough); Will my right hon. Friend recognise that the deci- sion will be widely accepted on each side of the House?
What is the position concerning women As a matter of interest police officers?
to the House, the most accurate member of the Houses of Parliament rifle club happens to be a woman police officer.
Mr. Pym: I thank my hon. Friend for what he has said. There is no change envisaged at present in regard to police
women.
Mr. Tam Dalyell (West Lothian): What exactly is the criterion for self- defence in this context? Is it simply a commanding officer to say "Yes" or No "? Is it a matter of request from the Service man or Service Who is to be the woman concerned?
up to
""
judge of what constitutes a matter of self-defence for which the carriage of arms can legitimately be asked?
Mr. Pym: I cannot recall the Oxford dictionary definition, but most hon. Mem- bers will appreciate what is meant by self-defence. The military certainly appre- ciate it.
FALKLAND ISLANDS
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. Nicholas Ridley): With permission, Mr. Speaker, I wish to make a statement on the Falk- land Islands.
no
doubt
our
We have
about sovereignty over the islands. The Argen- tines, however, continue to press their claim.
The dispute is causing continu- ing uncertainty, emigration and economic stagnation in the islands. Following my exploratory talks with the Argentines in April, the Government have been con- sidering possible ways of achieving a solu- tion which would be acceptable to all the parties. In this the essential is that we should be guided by the wishes of the islanders themselves.
I therefore visited the islands between 22 and 29 November in order to consult
Falkland Islands
196
island councillors and subsequently, at their express request, all islanders, on how we should proceed. Various pos- sible bases for seeking a negotiated settlement were discussed. These in- cluded both a way of freezing the dis- pute for a period or exchanging the title of sovereignty against a long lease of the islands back to Her Majesty's Govern-
ment.
The essential elements of any solution would be that it should preserve British administration, law and way of life for the islanders while releasing the potential of the islands' economy and of their maritime resources, at present blighted by the dispute.
It is for the islanders to advise on which, if any, option should be explored in negotiations with the Argentines. I have asked them to let me have their Any eventual set- views in due course. tlement would have to be endorsed by the islanders, and by this House.
Mr. Peter Shore (Stepney and Poplar): This is a worrying statement.
Will the Minister confirm that involved here are the rights and future of 1,800 people of British descent in a territory which was originally uninhabited- people who, above all, wish to preserve their present relationship with the United Kingdom? Will he reaffirm that there is no question of proceeding with any pro- posal contrary to the wishes of the Falk- land Islanders? Their wishes are surely to the British not just "guidance" Government. Surely they must be of para- mount importance. Has he made that ab- solutely clear to the Argentine Govern- ment?
Is not the Minister aware that proposals for a leasing arrangement represent a major weakening of our long-held posi- tion on sovereignty in the Falkland Islands, and that to make them in so specific and public a manner is likely only to harden Argentine policy and to undermine the confidence of the Falk- land islanders? Will he therefore make it clear that we shall uphold the rights of the islanders to continue to make a
genuinely free choice about their future, that we shall not abandon them and that, in spite of all the logistical difficulties, we shall continue to support and sustain them?
2 L 17
6137