Supplementary memorandum submitted by
the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Question 50 (Mr Philip Dunne): Falkland
Islands: Continental Shelf
The UK is currently researching its submission
to the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS)
in respect of the Falkland Islands continental shelf. Our plans
for submission have not been finalised. The deadline for submission
to the CLCS is May 2009. Any UK submission will be strictly in
accordance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. An extended
continental shelf gives the coastal State sovereign rights over
the seabed and subsoil. No such rights are accrued in respect
of the water column or fishery resources.
We have had useful contacts on the issue with
Argentine MFA technical and legal experts. Meetings took place
in 2001 and 2004. In June this year, we proposed a further meeting.
If this goes ahead, it will be another example of the UK's commitment
to co-operation on areas of mutual interest in the South Atlantic.
The UK has no doubts about its sovereignty of
the Falkland Islands/South Georgia—or its right to consider
submitting a claim to extend the continental shelf.
Question 51 (Mr Philip Dunne): Falkland Islands:
Air Bridge Contract
The operator of the contract from October 2007
to September 2008 is a US company, Omniair, who won the contract
through an open tender process run by the MOD, and involving the
FCO and the Falkland Islands Government in parts of the tender
process. Each return flight has a direct cost to the MOD of some
£300,000 (for the cost of the charter plus fuel at current
prices). The airbridge currently operates three return flights
a fortnight, via Ascension Island. It is a military flight run
primarily to service the UK military garrison on the Falklands,
and the UK military base on Ascension. The MOD funds this service,
but in recognition of its vital importance to the social and economic
development of the South Atlantic Overseas Territories, it carries
a number of fare-paying non-MOD passengers and freight to and
from both destinations. The fares charged by the MOD cover the
bulk of the cost to the MOD of providing this civilian service
(although for children and students discounted flights are currently
offered). The MOD guarantees an allocation of up to 29 seats southbound
and 39 seats northbound for the Falklands Islands Government,
and 20 commercial seats each way between the UK and Ascension
Island. The MOD has responded to a Falklands Islands request and
provided up to 10 premium economy seats on each flight. The FCO
is liaising between the MOD and the Governments of the Falkland
Islands and Ascension Island on negotiations for the future service,
including seat costs, advance payment and booking mechanism.
Question 114 (Mr Richard Bacon): Falkland Islands:
Fisheries
After the 1982 conflict, the British Government
and the Falklands Islands Government were concerned at the threats
to fishing stocks in the waters around the Falklands, and the
need for conservation measures highlighted by scientific studies.
The Falklands Islands Government at that time had no control beyond
the three-mile territorial limit and were pressing the British
Government unilaterally to impose restrictions and a Falklands
Islands licensing regime. At the time, the British Government
was concerned about the practical difficulties of implementing
and policing a regime. In view of the issue of straddling stocks
around the Falklands, the British Government preferred to seek
a multilateral fisheries conservation agreement sponsored by a
UN body. The British Government attempted to promote a multilateral
fisheries management regime in the South West Atlantic through
the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). Unfortunately,
this made little headway and the Argentine Government undermined
its prospects by signing bilateral agreements in July 1986 with
the USSR and Bulgaria, purporting to allow them to fish in Falklands
waters. By October 1986, the British Government decided that it
had no option but to take unilateral action and announced the
introduction of the Falkland Islands Interim Conservation and
Management Zone (FICZ). The FICZ, and the licensing regime, came
into operation in February 1987.
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