HC Deb 12 May 1952 vol 500 cc839-40
17. Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give details of the note presented to the Icelandic Government recently, concerning the dispute over fishing rights; and what reply he has received to this protest.

22. Mr. James H. Hoy

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reply he has received from the Government of Iceland to his note regarding the extension of Iceland's territorial waters.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Anthony Nutting)

The Icelandic Government have not yet replied to the Note which Her Majesty's Government addressed to them on 2nd May. I am placing a copy of this Note in the Library.

Mr. Lewis

Is the Minister aware that for over 60 years British trawler men have fished in these waters and that last year they were successful in catching over 600,000 cwt. of high-class fish? Is he further aware that unless something is done we shall lose this source of fish and the housewives will suffer? Will he give a promise that he will do all in his power to impress this on the Icelandic Government?

Mr. Nutting

I will certainly undertake to do everything within my power to get a satisfactory solution of this problem. As the hon. Gentleman will see from the text of the Note which has been placed in the Library, these considerations have been brought to the attention of the Government of Iceland.

Mr. Hoy

Will the Under-Secretary do all in his power to speed a reply to the Note he has sent because of the tremendous importance of these waters to the British fishing industry, and in consequence of the action already taken by another Government which by considerably limiting valuable fishing grounds, is holding up British fishing fleets?

Mr. Nutting

We shall certainly do all we can to expedite the reply of the Government of Iceland.