MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Imminent arrival of Mr John Battle MP.

Mr John Battle MP, the minister of state for foreign and commonwealth affairs will be arriving in the islands on Tuesday the 20th February. He will be met at MPA by His Excellency, the Governor, Mr Donald Lamont, CBFII, Air Commodore Cliffe and Councillor Halford. John Battle will be in the islands until the 24th February when he will depart on LANCHILE.

Councillor Mike Summers discusses Islands Plan

Councillor Summers was in the studio this morning for a ?one to one' discussion on the Islands Plan. Included in this talk were plans for Camp, health, schools, best value audits and the planned new port costing 30 million pounds. The consultative session about the islands plan is in the town hall on Tuesday the 20th at 5pm. And you can hear that interview this Friday at quarter to seven in the evening directly after ?Calling the Falklands'.

Housing Committee

The Housing Committee met yesterday in Gilbert House at 1.30pm. Those present were: Deputy Director of Human Resources, Eileen Davison, Councillor John Birmingham, Assistant Secretary, Simon Goss, Welfare Officer, Alison McPherson, Housing Officer, Glenn Williams and Terry Hawksworth from the Treasury. The main discussion was regarding the allocation of housing for new contract officers. To be housed are an anaesthetist, a surgeon, a clerk of works, a health visitor, a team leader of social services and an economic advisor. Other posts coming up were The Director of Education currently under recruitment and a secondment from overseas for a Chief Fire Officer. Also discussed was a senior personnel officer who will replace the training post at Human Resources; this person is being recruited to modernise procedures. Mention of a Fisheries Economist was also raised, but it was thought that the chances of it being before next year were slim. Other matters in this meeting were discussed after the exclusion of the press and public.

Visit from OTD and British Embassy in Buenos Aires

Claire Philfhie, the Desk Officer of Overseas Territory Department and Matthew Withers, the third secretary of the British Embassy in Buenos Aires are currently in the islands. They are on a familiarisation visit where t