§ 63. Mr. MARKLEWasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the agitation in Iceland for the inclusion of Faxa Bay in Icelandic territorial waters and the exclusion of British trawlers from this important fishing ground; and whether he will keep this matter in mind when considering any proposals for the renewal of a trade agreement with Iceland or any proposed revision of the regulations under the Sea Fishing Industry Act, 1933?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Dr. Burgin)Yes, Sir. The attention of His Majesty's Government has been drawn to a proposal before the Icelandic Althing that Faxa Bay should be included in Icelandic territorial waters. His Majesty's Minister at Copenhagen has been instructed to make it clear to the Icelandic Government that His Majesty's Government cannot recognise the right of the latter to close to British trawlers any waters outside the limits laid down in the Anglo-Danish Convention of 24th June, 1901, or the exercise of territorial jurisdiction over bays of this nature. As regards the second part of the question, all relevant considerations arising from this problem will be borne in mind.