MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Two MPs FIG guests expected this week in Falklands

Conservative MP Mike Penning and Labor MP Sarah McCarthy-Fry are due to arrive on November 3, accompanied by the Falkland Islands Government's (FIG) Representative in the UK, Sukey Cameron.

Since 1988 FIG has aimed to sponsor one Parliamentary visit a year, and while it has been two years since the last FIG visit, there have been two visits by Parliamentarians during that time, organised by the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme.

In general, Parliamentary visits are getting more difficult to organise, Ms Cameron said, due to the reduction in Labor's majority and the reluctance for the Whips, who give permission for MPs/Lords to be absent from the House, to agree to let them go, especially when legislation is going through the House.

"This was unfortunately, why the trip planned for February last was cancelled at relatively short notice," she said.

The other problem, she added, is that to visit the Islands, they have to be absent from the House for a week. "However, having said that we are never short of MPs who are interested and keen to visit, but the problems arise as the date of the visit gets nearer and constituency or Parliamentary business has to take precedence".

"All three MPs who were scheduled to come in February hoped to come on this forthcoming visit but for very valid reasons, have had to drop out; as the date gets closer it is more difficult then to find replacements who can clear their diaries in order to visit. We are, of course, very grateful for the ones that do."

Planning for the visits typically starts some six months before in order to book seats on the airbridge, reserve accommodation and fit in with people's availability in the Islands and, Ms Cameron said, "...unfortunately, one can never tell what political issues may come up in the intervening period.

"We typically plan for four to six MPs across the three main parties however, for reasons I have explained that is sometimes difficult to achieve."

"While dates changes, names change, programme changes and the uncertainty that ensues is frustrating, Parliamentary visits are still a vital part of our Parliamentary contact programme" underlined Ms Cameron.

"They help maintain the all important knowledge of the Islands in Parliament to ensure that we continue to attract the support that we have built up over many years". (PN).