§ 58. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State far Foreign Affairs what is the present position with regard to the three-mile limit off the coasts of certain foreign countries beyond which deep-sea fishing is permitted to all nations; and what is being done to resist the claims of Norway, Iceland, and other countries to extend this limit as agreed by International Convention?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Godfrey Locker-Lampson)The limit of territorial waters is a matter not of International Convention but of International Law. His Majesty's Government adhere as heretofore to the rule that the limit of territorial waters is a line drawn three miles from the coast at low-water mark, and will continue to resist any claim to an extension of that limit. The three-mile limit applies for fisheries as for all other purposes.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYNow that the hon. Gentleman is at the Foreign Office, will he pay particular attention to this matter, as it affects the interests of the deep-sea fishermen of this country?