HC Deb 14 December 1953 vol 522 c21
30. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affiairs the intentions of Her Majesty's Government with regard to the question referring the Icelandic fisheries dispute to The Hague Court

Mr. Dodds-Parker

This is one of several suggestions made by Her Majesty's Government for solving the dispute which it has not been possible to proceed with, for reasons made clear by my right hon. and learned Friend in his reply to the hon. Lady the Member for Tynemouth (Miss Ward) on 20th May.

Mr. Sorensen

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that that answer was quite unsatisfactory? Seeing that reference was made to The Hague Court over the Norwegian dispute and there is some similarity between that dispute and the Icelandic dispute, would it not be better for this matter to be considered again?

Mr. Dodds-Parker

Her Majesty's Government expressed readiness to refer this matter to The Hague Court, but the Icelandic Government are not prepared to agree except on conditions unacceptable to Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Could not this go to the Security Council, so that perhaps they could ask for an advisory opinion?

Mr. Dodds-Parker

I do not think we need go so far as that at this juncture.