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Falkland Islands
2 DECEMBER 1980
[Viscount Cranbourne.] throughout his own supporters, and that merely by entertaining the possibility of the surrender of sovereignty he is en- couraging the islanders to think that they do not enjoy the support that they deserve from their home country? Is he also aware that his attitude reminds me of the attitude of the Church of England over the old Prayer Book-
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.
Mr. Ridley: I was happy to be able to assure the islanders that they had our support, whatever course they chose to tal.c. Of course, whether the position remains as it is at present or whether there is lease back, the Government are obligated to defend their territories all round the world.
Mr. Douglas Jay (Battersea, North): It is clear that the islanders, whatever else they may think, have no wish for a change of sovereignty. Why cannot the Foreign Office leave the matter alone?
Mr. Ridley: The right hon. Gentleman should have accompanied me on my visit; it would have been very pleasant. He may then have heard the views of the islanders, a large number of whom be- lieve that it would be to their advantage to settle the dispute. He must listen to the views in the islands instead of preach- ing what he has always believed to be the case.
Several Hon. Members rose---
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. I must protect the business on the Order Paper. 1 propose to take three more questions from either side of the House.
Falkland Islands
lamb. What opportunities are the further economic links between So
Chile and the Falkland Islands than that the Falkland Islands show totally reliant on Argentina?
Mr. Ridley: The islanders cer discussed the question of nati with me, and I said that I would d the matter with my right hon. F the Home Secretary when I ra home. I am sure that my right Friend will discuss the matter wid at some stage.
The question of trade with Chị open. There is no reason why the ders should not trade with Chile, of any other country. There has bee delivery of sheep to Chile, and we that there will be further trade be the two countries.
Mr. James Johnson (Kingston Hull, West): The House will wel and has welcomed, the Minister equivocal statement that the islande be the arbiters and sole judges of destiny, but what is he doing to an ate their conditions? The island 10,000 miles away with a dimning population, and young people are ing them. Argentina will not go so the Government's duty is to an ate conditions between the island the mainland. What are the G ment doing about fishing ventures, other commercial exploitations?
Mr. Ridley: I am taking an ini to see, with the islanders, whether is a way of solving the dispute. T the way to unlock the economic po that the islanders so badly need.
Mr.
Matthew Parris (Derby West): Will my hon. Friend explai the continuing dispute with Argentin cludes help from the United Kin Government to the islanders in de? ing their territory?
Mr. Robin Maxwell-Hyslop (Tiverton): Did my hon. Friend discuss with the islanders the question of their right of access to the United Kingdom in any pro- posed change of the nationality laws, or did he tell them that a Home Office
Mr. Ridley: The possibility of d. Minister would be visiting the Falklanding a 200-mile zone round the isla Islands to do so? In other words, is it enly to the House of Commons that my hon. Member will not answer questions about that, or will a Home Office Minis-
ter do so?
What is the position concerning Falk- land Islands trade with Southern Chile? There was some experimental trade in
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remote without the agreement c Argentine, because of the difficul enforcing the licensing of fishing exploration. Successive Govern found that that was not possible * absence of an agreement. There considerable difficulty relating to ment and the extension of credit
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