asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will now make a statement on the latest position reached in the talks with Argentina on the Falkland Islands.

The further informal talks which have been held with representatives of the Argentine Government have not altered our basic position on the question of sovereignty as explained to the House on 11th and 12th December, 1968.—[Vol. 775, c. 424–34, 608–14.]

Is the Minister aware that these talks have been dragging on far too long, and can he indicate when they are likely to be concluded? Is he satisfied that the position of the Falkland Islands is being protected by having them at all?

On the latter point, I am certain. We have made repeated assurances in this House that there can be no transfer of sovereignty against the wishes of the islanders.

On the first point, the purpose of the talks has been to continue to explore possible means of narrowing the differences which exist between the two Governments on this problem. I hope, for that reason, that it may be possible to go on with the discussions.

Have we not now reached the position where Parliament, Press and the public are all agreed that the Falkland islanders are British, that there can be no question of transfer of sovereignty, and that the issue of sovereignty is dead? If that be the case, would it not be fairer to the loyal people of the Falkland Islands and to our good friends in the Argentine for the Government to say so?

We have said so on all three occasions that this matter has been debated in the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what changes have taken place during the last 12 months in the constitutional status of the Falkland Islands; and if he will define their present constitutional status.

None, Sir. The Falkland Islands are a British possession acquired by settlement.

In view of the attempts being made by other nations to exercise sovereignty over these islands, will my hon. and learned Friend say what steps Her Majesty's Government have taken to ensure that the citizens of the Falkland Islands maintain and retain the ordinary rights that they have hitherto enjoyed?

I have already this afternoon in the House given an assurance that we maintain and support the people of the Falkland Islands and will not transfer sovereignty from them against their wishes.