HC Deb 07 December 1953 vol 521 cc1588-9
5. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the present position of the fisheries disputes between Britain and Iceland and Britain and Norway, respectively, and on the steps taken and progress made towards solution of the problems out of which these disputes have arisen.

Mr. Nutting

The hon. and learned Gentleman will be aware that the Anglo-Norwegian dispute over the Northern Norwegian fishery limits was settled in Norway's favour by a decision of the International Court of Justice at The Hague in December, 1951.

Regarding the Icelandic dispute, I have nothing to add to the replies I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Louth (Mr. Osborne) on 25th November.

Mr. Hughes

Does the Minister realise that the first mentioned case was decided in a manner adverse to Britain, that the second case is still undecided, and that the fishing industry is in such a state of uncertainty that this is damaging the industry irreparably and is depriving consumers of the valuable fish foods which they should have? Can the hon. Gentleman say what is being done to rectify the situation?

Mr. Nutting

I realise that this is a most unsatisfactory position. As the hon. and learned Gentleman knows, the Government have taken every possible step open to them to bring about a solution of this unsatisfactory question, both by direct contacts with the Icelandic Government and by suggesting direct discussions between the trawler owners, by offering to refer it to The Hague Court and by offering to refer it to the International Commission. None of these proposals has met with any success.

Mr. Woodburn

Has the hon. Gentleman investigated the repercussions of the Norwegian decision yet? This decision as to the limits must apply to other countries as well. Have those repercussions been thoroughly studied to see whether we could benefit from them?

Mr. Nutting

There are, of course, repercussions from the Anglo-Norwegian settlement as laid down by The Hague Court. They are under study at the moment, and, as the right hon. Gentleman knows, we are in discussion with other Governments about the repercussions resulting from that case.

Mr. Edward Evans

Has the hon. Gentleman studied the report presented by the hon. Member for St. Ives (Mr. G. R. Howard) and myself, and the invitation of the Icelandic Government to discuss that question and the difficulties between the two Governments? If so, does the hon. Gentleman propose to take any action on the basis of that report?

Mr. Nutting

I have studied the hon. Gentleman's report, and I am most grateful to him for sending it to me, and for the proposals which he has made, but, unfortunately, I cannot see any chance of the proposals which he makes for settling this dispute having any more favourable reception in Iceland than the other proposals made by the Government.

Mr. Hector Hughes

I beg to give notice that, in view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply and of the fishing industry, I shall raise the matter at the earliest opportunity.