HC Deb 02 July 1952 vol 503 cc419-20
29. Mr. Grimond

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the recently concluded pact to regulate fishing in the North Sea.

Mr. Nutting

There is no inter-governmental agreement to regulate fishing in the North Sea subsequent to the Convention signed at the International Over-fishing Conference held in London in 1946. I would refer the hon. Member to a written answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture on 29th May last. The situation has not changed since that date.

Mr. Grimond

Is it not the case that all the nations concerned have now ratified the 1946 agreement? If that is so, does that not mean that the agreement can now be put into force in some respects?

Mr. Nutting

I am informed that Spain has not yet ratified it and that that is the only ratification still outstanding. The position has not changed since the hon. Gentleman was given the previous reply.