RESTRICTED
ANNEX
"ocial
Cocial
Way of Life
11.
Life in the Falkland Islands is rugged, unsophisticated, isolated. and parochial. The people are obliged to work hard but are not too badly off in economic terms. (Estimated per capita income for 1977 was £1,700). There is no unemployment. But, with dwindling numbers and an uncertain future, morale is low. There is a (The Royal Marines drinking problem and a lack of females of marriageable age.
tend to marry several of the young Island girls and take them back to the UK. Society is paternalistic if not positively feudal, with absentee landlords and what Lord Shackleton described as "a pattern of dependence" whether on the Government, the Falkland Islands Company or expatriates generally and "a degree of acceptance of the status quo which verges on apathy". The people are united however, in their
There deep seated emotional conviction that they are British and wish to remain so. is universal dislike of Argentina and the Argentine's.
Living conditions
12. For a remote community, the Islanders are relatively well served with social facilities. Children aged 5-15 attend school locally in Stanley. In the Camp, education is carried on either in settlement schools or by itinerant teachers. completed, the new school hostel in Stanley will centralise secondary education. After 15, promising pupils go to Britain, Argentina or Uruguay through a scholarship
(The Argentine Government also scheme operated by the Falkland Islands Government.
offers scholarships).
When
Health
13.
The staff of the Government Medical Standards of health are quite high. Department includes a senior medical officer, assisted by 2 other loctors, a dental officer and 10 nursing staff. There is a modern and well-equipped 27-bed Government hospital in Stanley.
Communications
14.
the Argentine mainland and There is a twice-weekly air service between
The Port Stanley operated by LADE (the civilian wing of the Argentine airforce). Falkland Islands Company charter a vessel which makes a round trip to the United Kingdom 4 or 5 times a year taking in general cargo and bringing out mainly the wool clip. It carries no passengers. Internal Communications are maintained by the Falkland Islands' Government Air Service (FIGAS). Local sea communications
External telecommunications are the responsibili are maintained by the MV Monsunen.
Af Pakts And Wireless: There is a limited telephone system in Port Stanley and communications in the Camp are by radio telephone.