HC Deb 08 December 1952 vol 509 cc3-5
3. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the present state of negotiations regarding the Icelandic fisheries dispute.

4. Mr. Dodds

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in view of the rejection by the Icelandic Government of our proposal that the trawler owners of the two countries should meet to decide the dispute over the fishing-zone limits on the grounds that they are not the right people to decide this matter, what further action he proposes to take to arrange discussions between the two Governments concerned in an effort to find an early solution to this important problem.

Mr. Eden

Her Majesty's Government are continuing their efforts to find a basis for the solution of this dispute: I hope myself to find opportunities in the near future for some direct discussion of these matters.

Mr. Hughes

Is it not a fact that the Government are, in effect, handing over their duties in this matter to private interests, who are thus made the arbiters of what fish the public will and will not get? Is that not contrary to the public interest? Will the Government re-assert themselves and bring order into the industry, so that the consumers may get the fish that they require?

Mr. Eden

As far as internal matters are concerned, they are, of course, for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, and not for me. As far as the international aspect is concerned, I thought I made it clear that we were not abandoning our interests. As I said, I hope to have direct discussions on these matters in the near future. I do not at the moment wish to go further, because that would not help my direct discussions.

Mr. Dodds

Does the Foreign Secretary not recognise that there is widespread disappointment at what seems to be the weak-kneed attitude of the Government in this important matter, in that the Government are not taking it up in an international way and that this has been left too long to the vested interests of the Hull and Grimsby trawler owners, who have been doing well out of it?

Mr. Eden

To whom are we supposed to be weak-kneed? Is it the trawler owners or the Icelandic Government?

Mr. Dodds

The trawler owners.

Mr. Eden

It would be as well if the hon. Member made up his mind what he meant.

Lady Tweedsmuir

Has it been suggested to the Icelandic Government that once Spain ratifies the Over-fishing Convention early in the New Year, a conference should take place and that until then they should withdraw their embargo? If so, what reply did they give?

Mr. Eden

That is an aspect which we have considered and discussed. I say, to the hon. Member for Dartford (Mr. Dodds) that I am doing my utmost to secure a settlement by peaceful means, and I thought that he would prefer that method.

Mrs. Castle

Have the Government received a suggestion from the Icelandic Government that this matter should be referred to the International Court? If so, what reply was given?

Mr. Eden

I think I am right in saying that we have not received such a suggestion. If it were made, I should require to consider it for a variety of reasons, which the hon. Lady has in mind. This is one of the most complicated international tangles which it has ever been my, not privilege, but misfortune, to have to deal with.

Mrs. Castle

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it has been reported in the Press that such a suggestion has been made by the Icelandic Government? Will he check up?

Mr. Eden

I am fairly sure that there has been no such official statement.