Hints from Hansard18 May 2023 02:11
The entire Hansard report of the 'Overseas Territories' debate is well worth reading and provides a rare account as to the trials and tribulations faced by the UK's Overseas Territories. Apart from the Sea Lion quote, there are a few other interesting comments for FI Twitchers.
"I draw the House’s attention to another area where the Falklanders require our support. Under the United Nations Committee of 24, the Falkland Islands is currently classified as a non-self-governing territory, but we know that is factually incorrect, both under the first Falklands constitution, signed in 1985, and under the new constitution, signed into law by Her Majesty the Queen in 2009. The Falkland Islands is self-governing but willing to refer its foreign and defence policy to the United Kingdom. The Government should help the Falklands to correct that misclassification, so that the Falkland Islands will be recognised at the UN as the proud, self-governing territory that it is". Alicia Kearns - col. 500 (Perhaps facilitated by a strong revenue steam from Sea Lion. With a Global Top 10 GDP and growing Sovereign Wealth Fund with new infrastructure, healthcare, hotels etc and a steadily rising population - the FI begins to look like a strong, independent territory with powerful friends.
"There is widespread frustration about just how difficult it is to engage in even basic dialogue with Government Departments. Surely, given our belief in self-determination, it is only right that overseas territories make their own case to Government Departments, rather than relying on the Foreign Office to act as messenger". Alicia Kearns - col. 501 (So FIG can now make the case for Sea Lion directly to the Treasury rather than via FCD).
"As a leading global economy, the UK can borrow money at beneficial rates, but this option is not available to our overseas territories. During the pandemic, we allowed Gibraltar to borrow £500 million under a sovereign guarantee, thereby protecting the Rock’s economy at a time of economic instability. When we can, we should use our economic clout to support our overseas territories to develop sustainably, to grow their opportunity and prosperity, and to invest in infrastructure". Alicia Kearns - col. 502 (Funding for new port or maybe even Sea Lion ?)
"One potential solution (need to diversify away from fisheries) is the extraction of oil. Of course, that must be done extremely carefully, given our commitment to net zero, but I very much hope that the Treasury will give the proposals that are currently in front of it—known as Project Sea Lion—extremely serious consideration". Rob Butler - col 523
https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2023-05-11/debates/CCC3D872-ADFF-4439-A7C4-7AAFA81EBF33/OverseasTerritories
My thanks to Mogger - once again - for another cracking find. Most illuminating !
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