My Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

My Lords, immigration is a matter for the Falkland Islands Government. However, I understand that since June 1982 approximately 29 Britons have arrived in the Falklands with the intention of settling permanently.

My Lords, of course I accept precisely that which the noble Lord, Lord Lyell, has said; that immigration is fundamentally the responsibility of the Falkland Islands Government. I may remind the noble Lord that there have been times when we have said that the Government of the Falkland Islands need our assistance as well.

Question!

My Lords, there is one aspect which is giving concern in the Falkland Islands and to Britons with farming experience who would like to go there. Is the noble Lord aware that the Falkland Islands Sheepowners' Association purports to represent all farmers, including the ordinary Falkland islander, as well as the Falklands Islands company managed by Coalite with the very smallest tenants? However, there is some concern that insofar as this is a limited company which meets secretly, it ought not to call itself the tenants' association because it represents no one except those very closely associated with that limited company? Will the Government be prepared to look at that point to see whether they can rectify it to the benefit and help of all Falkland islanders?

My Lords, I was not aware of that organisation. I have read of many other organisations but I was not aware of that one. Perhaps we might discuss it later.

My Lords, does my noble friend not agree that any settlement in the Falkland Islands must present a very uncertain future unless we are able to normalise relations with Argentina? Can he therefore say when that process might start?

My Lords, I believe that is another question for another day.

My Lords, can the noble Lord say how many people have actually left the Falklands Islands permanently during the period when the 29 Britons arrived there; and how many people who are ordinarily resident in the Falkland Islands that leaves as at today's date?

My Lords, since the end of hostilities, approximately 35 islanders have left permanently. As to the exact population as at today's date, I am unaware of that, but I shall certainly write to the noble Lord with the precise figure.

My Lords, as the Falkland Islands are a Crown colony, what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government about emigration—or do they not have one?

My Lords, that is entirely a matter for the individuals and for the Falkland Islands Council.

My Lords, of the 29 new residents, how many of them are single women?

My Lords, I believe that there are three "Mrs." and one "Miss"; although I could not say whether they are suitable as single women for the purposes of my noble friend's question.