§ 27. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to state in detail what proposals were contained in the British Government's Note of 21st January, 1953, to the Icelandic Government concerning the fisheries dispute between those two countries; what reply he has received; and if he will make a full statement on the present state of this dispute.
§ Mr. EdenA reply to our proposals was received from the Icelandic Government on 18th February and is under immediate consideration. I should prefer to reserve any detailed statement until I have had an opportunity to give the reply full study, but the House will be informed of the position with the least possible delay.
§ Mr. HughesIs the right hon. Gentleman aware—of course, he is—that this has been dragging on for a very long time and that it would be very much in the interests of consumers of fish in this country, and others, to have it determined as quickly as possible? Will the right hon. Gentleman expedite his study of this abstruse document?
§ Mr. YoungerIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that while the British trawler owners, and no doubt also the British fishermen and trawler officers, may be content to see this dispute drag on for some time, there are many other interests affected, and that, for instance, in my constituency, the losses in the town from one cause or another due to the dispute have been estimated at £500,000 since the ban was imposed? Will the right hon. Gentleman expedite the matter? In particular, may I ask him whether, unless he has taken some other action, he will bring the matter up on 4th March at the Overfishing Conference in conjunction with the French Government?
§ Mr. EdenI have had a reply from the Icelandic Government and I must give it consideration. On the last part of the 1717 question, the right hon. Gentleman will know that the Icelandic Government themselves resist discussion at this forum. I would rather consider what they propose before I say more.