§ Sir ARCHIBALD WILLIAMSONasked what is the territorial limit for fishery purposes in force between Denmark and Sweden; whether along about one-third of the coasts of Europe the three-mile limit is not accepted by the bordering State; whether he will take into consideration the disadvantage of committing this country to strict adherence to a three-mile limit for fishery purposes; and whether, before taking further action, the hon. Gentleman will ascertain the views of the Scottish Fishery Board and the Department for Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland on the subject?
Mr. McKINNON WOODDenmark and Sweden have agreed between themselves to a four-mile limit for fisheries in the Cattegat, the Sound, the Baltic coast of Sweden from Falsterbo to Simbrishamn, and round the island of Bornholm and Christianso. His Majesty's Government have been committed to the three-mile limit for at least two generations. Any action involving proposals to other Powers for a departure from existing policy would be taken, if at all, by His Majesty's Government as a whole. The Foreign Office cannot act on the advice of one only of the Departments specially interested: its business in a matter of this kind is to carry out the policy of the Government.
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONHow does the hon. Gentleman reconcile that answer with his answer of last week as regards Denmark?