COST OF REHABILITATION
42. As the House was informed on 8 December, the Government propose to make a further £5 million available for civilian rehabilitation in addition to the £10 million announced in July. The amount spent so far is approximately £6.25 million. It is expected that a ₤9.7 million.
further £3.75 million will be disbursed before the end of the
current financial year.
COMPENSATION FOR ISLANDERS
43. The Compensation scheme is progressing well. Some £2.1 million has been paid out under the scheme. We hope that the majority of claims can be settled by the end of the financial year.
REPARATIONS
44.
We have not claimed compensation from Argentina. reserve the right to do so.
PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT TO FALKLANDS
45.
But we
The visit by my right hon Friend the Prime Minister to the Falklands from 8-12 January was not aimed at antagonising Argentina, however much it might suit the latter's book to ascribe such a purpose to it. There was nothing surprising about it, since she had made very clear beforehand that she wished to go; indeed, it would have been surprising had she not gone. And as a British Prime Minister, she had every right to visit British territory.
POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT
46. It is too early to speculate.
We will need to consult the
Islanders. They are at present preoccupied with their immediate rehabilitation problems. They will need time to recover.
ISLANDERS' WISHES "PARAMOUNT"?
47. The Government remain fully committed to respecting the wishes of the Falkland Islanders about their political future.
[IF PRESSED: It is almost inconceivable that the British Parliament would attempt to impose on the Islanders a political future which they clearly did not want].
PROPOSALS FOR AN INTERNATIONAL SOLUTION TO THE FALKLAND ISLANDS
PROBLEM
48. I do not believe that such initiatives would serve any useful purpose at present. The scars of war are still too fresh. As my Rt Hon Friend the Prime Minister said in winding up the debate on the Franks Report on 26 January, iot is obviously premature for either the Islanders or ourselves to speculate about specific policies for the long-term future.
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