3. Commander SOUTH BYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs with what foreign countries there is an agreement that the extent of territorial waters shall be greater than three miles; what distance has been agreed upon in such cases; and whether His Majesty's Government insists upon the rigid adherence to any such agreement in cases involving the visit and search or arrest of vessels flying the British flag?
§ Mr. DALTONNo agreement has been concluded with any foreign country that the extent of territorial waters shall be greater than three miles. The second and third parts of the question do not, therefore, arise.
§ Commander SOUTHBYCan the hon. Gentleman say whether there has been any arrangement with any foreign country?
§ Mr. DALTONI am not quite clear what the distinction between an arrangement and an agreement would be. There has been no such agreement come to between us and any foreign country.
§ Commander SOUTHBYWhat is the limit of the territorial waters in the case of the United State of America?
§ Mr. DALTONI expect the hon. and gallant Member is referring to the Convention of 1924, of which I can send him a copy if he wishes. Shortly put, that Convention reaffirms the three-mile limit, but certain powers are given with regard to vessels endeavouring to smuggle liquor into the United States. Those vessels may be apprehended within one hour's steaming distance of the United States coast; but the Convention reaffirms the three-mile limit in general.
§ Mr. DALTONNo, but I do not want to mislead the hon. Member. The right of search is, in certain cases, exerciseable up to one hour's steaming distance from the United States coast, as was explained by my right hon. Friend in reply to a question last week.
§ Mr. WOMERSLEYIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the fishing industry look to His Majesty's Government to preserve this right of fishing up to within three miles of the coast?