asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) what action it is proposed to take in the light of the refusal of the Governments of the Argentine and Chile to accept the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice to adjudicate on the Antarctic claims of those Governments;

(2) if he will make a statement on the decision of the International Court of Justice to remove from its list the cases arising out of the Antarctic claims of the Argentinian and Chilean Governments and the British Government's repudiation of such claims.

The consent of the Argentine and Chilean Governments is necessary before the International Court can exercise jurisdiction in this matter. They have persisted in their refusal to accept the Court's jurisdiction, and in accordance with its normal practice in such circumstances, the Court has removed the cases from its list.

Her Majesty's Government, having thus demonstrated the validity of their title and their willingness to settle the dispute by peaceful means, now resume their full freedom to take whatever further action may be required to maintain their title.

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman make certain that due publicity is given to the willingness of this country to submit these Antarctic claims to the proper source for adjudication, namely, the International Court of Justice; and will he also ensure that due publicity is given to his own Answer?

I will certainly do my best to do that.