§ Mr. STANIERasked whether the Government had any information as to Russia having introduced a Bill into the Duma, seeking to enlarge her territorial waters for fishing purposes from the recognised three-mile limit to twelve miles; and, if so, if this is against treaty rights?
Mr. McKINNON WOODThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The proposed extension of the exclusive fishery limits of Russia from three to twelve miles would be contrary, not to any treaty between the United Kingdom and that country, but to the generally accepted doctrines of international law.
§ Sir GEORGE DOUGHTYasked whether any, and, if so, what representations have been made to the Russian Government on the Bill introduced into the Russian Duma seeking to enlarge the territorial waters for fishing purposes from the recognised three-mile limit to twelve miles in the White Sea and the Sea of Archangel; and whether he is aware that if such Bill is allowed to become law a serious blow will be struck at the British fishing industry and a great injury done to the fish-consuming public of Great Britain by further restricting the area from which their supplies are drawn.
Mr. McKINNON WOODHis Majesty's Ambassador at St. Petersburgh, who had already made representations to the Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs in this matter, has recently been instructed to address an official protest to the Russian Government against the proposal to extend the fishery limits of Russia beyond the ordinary distance of three miles from shore, as being contrary to the generally accepted doctrines of international law. The Secretary of State is fully alive to the importance of the British interests involved in this question.
§ Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAYWill the House be informed as soon as the reply is received?
§ Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAYWill you give me information?
§ Mr. ROBERT HARCOURTWill my hon. Friend take into consideration also 422 the injury done to British fisheries in inshore waters?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise.