[Opening section filmed on HMS Antrim]
MT
Well, first I’ve learned a great deal. If I look at it from the viewpoint of the Falkland Islanders, their loyalty is total, their loyalty to our way of life, their loyalty to everything for which we stand and time after time they come up and thank Britain for what she’s done to keep their way of life. And secondly one’s learned even more about the difficulties of the campaign and appreciate that it was one of the most remarkable military campaigns in history, and one knows even more the supreme bravery and courage of our people.
[end of section filmed on HMS Antrim]
David Walter, ITN
What about the problems of the troops who are still here now? You said just now that they might be bored. How long do you think they can stay here in these numbers?
MT
Well, of course during some of the work they’re doing on land, all the tremendous construction work, putting up proper accommodation, building a much, much better airfield, soon to build a very much better jetfield, there’s a lot of road work to be done, those who are involved on that are very, very busy indeed. I just referred to what might appear to be boring to company, to the ship’s company merely to be keeping track of any Argentine that attempts to penetrate the exclusion zone, making certain that they have warning of anything, watching for the boats that may come in. Every single one that attempts to penetrate must be detected and know that they have been detected, that is the way to keep these islands free. It is of course comparatively boring, routine work always is, but it is absolutely vital, and as I pointed out to them, there must have been many, many times when they were here just where we are now in great danger and difficulty with bombardments going on when they would have longed for the kind of peace and routine work that they’re doing just now, they’re doing an extremely important job.
David Walter, ITN
It’s a very expensive operation for Britain, isn’t it. How long can we keep it up? Is money going to be no object for some time to come?
MT
At peace, to maintain peace with freedom and justice is always expensive. It’s less expensive than war, particularly in human life.
David Walter, ITN
Might there be a time when we talk to the Argentines again?
MT
No, not on sovereignty. One thing the islanders have made it perfectly clear, these islands are British, they are the Queen’s loyal subjects, they wish it to stay that way.