Written question asked by Cheryl Gillan (Conservative) on Thursday, 10 February 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 15 February 2000. It was answered by John Battle (Labour) on Tuesday, 15 February 2000 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations (a) he and (b) the Falkland Islands' Governor have received from (i) the Falkland Islands Government and (ii) individual Falklands councillors about the withdrawal of the South Atlantic guard ship. - Includes ref to 343 c277W.

Answer: Mrs. Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations (a) he and (b) the Falkland Islands' Governor have received from (i) the Falkland Islands Government and (ii) individual Falklands councillors about the withdrawal of the South Atlantic guardship. [110326] Mr. Battle: I refer to the answer of 27 January 2000 from my hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces to the hon. Member for Croydon, South (Mr. Ottaway), Official Report, column 227W. In response to recent press speculation we have assured the Falkland Islands Government that there are no plans to withdraw the Falkland Islands Guardship or otherwise reduce naval patrols in the South Atlantic. The Governor of the Falkland Islands informed Legislative Councillors accordingly. They thanked the Governor for this assurance and expressed the view that it would not be appropriate to reduce such patrols.

Secondary information