Falklands : MPs Complete Falklands Visit
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 19.03.2008 (Article Archived on 02.04.2008)
Mr Eric Illsley (LAB Barnsley Central) admitted to learning a lot about life in the Falklands while taking evidence for the Foreign Affairs Committee.
Two MPs from the Foreign Affairs Committee – Eric Illsley (LAB Barnsley Central) and Gisela Stewart (LAB Birmingham and Edgbaston) and Dr Robin James, a Clerk for the Foreign Affairs Committee have completed their visit to the Falklands and gave a brief press conference at the Malvina House Hotel on Monday afternoon.
Eric Illsley MP spoke briefly about the aspects of Falklands life he discovered while here and commented that the report to the Committee would be as full as possible. Other items that he discovered would be brought up in other ways like questions to the House.
Compared to other UK Overseas Territories, Governance issues in the Falklands are minimal to non existent. However, there appears to be a disproportionate view in the UK with regard to treaty obligations. One item is the Ottawa Convention where FIG and/or HMG would have to pay for mine clearance. If this were the case then other well needed projects would have to be sacrificed. Money needs to be spent in other countries where mines are a persistent problem for many people. Here we know where they are and have fenced them off.
The MPs will also include Charter flights, the air-bridge and extended LAN flights in their report. Mr Illsley stressed the importance to development that communications by land and sea have in the future development of the Falkland Islands. Along these lines they will also mention the need to replace FIPASS sooner rather than later.
Also mentioned was the often postponed Next of Kin visit to the Falklands. Mr Illsley said that a single aircraft to hold 600 people would not be practical and that a visit by sea on a chartered cruise liner would be logistically viable.
Mr Illsley mentioned the lack of continuity with the UK Overseas Territories in that there has been seven different Ministers from 1997 to 2005 with the responsibility for the UK Overseas Territories and this takes its toll on projects and policies that need to go forward.
Hydrocarbons revenue is a sticking point in that FIG feel that constitutionally our mineral resources belong to us. HMG might have a different idea. FIG would pay for the defence of the Islands should commercial quantities of hydrocarbons be found. The MPs agreed that the Falklands pay their way and that the subject will be included in their report.
The differing needs of all the UK Overseas Territories need to be taken into account when submitting the report.
Finally the MPs stressed the importance of e-mails and the Internet to development in the Falklands, saying that they were impressed by the services available, especially mobile phones, and hoped things would improve to meet the demands of development.
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