HC Deb 28 January 1953 vol 510 cc1006-7
37. Miss Ward

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to make a further statement on the negotiations with Iceland on fishing rights.

50. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will now consider referring the Icelandic fisheries dispute to the International Court, in view of the continuing deadlock and the increasing tension developing between this country and Iceland arising from the protracted dispute.

61. Mr. Osborne

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to make a further statement on the Icelandic fishing dispute; and what hopes there are of an early and amicable settlement.

Mr. Eden

Her Majesty's Government have made certain proposals to the Icelandic Government in the hope of bringing about a solution of the dispute. I should prefer not to add to this statement until the reply of the Icelandic Government has been received and considered.

Miss Ward

Has my right hon. Friend any idea how long he may have to wait before he hears from the Icelandic Government?

Mr. Eden

No, Sir, but last week we made these proposals to the Government of Iceland and we must give them a reasonable opportunity to reply.

Mr. Sorensen

As this matter has now been delayed for a very long time, and as it is causing a great deal of distress and tension, would not it be better now seriously to consider referring it to the Hague Court?

Mr. Eden

I have made certain suggestions to the Icelandic Government. I would rather not make any statement until I have their answer.

Mr. Foot

Are we to understand from the right hon. Gentleman's answer that he has now taken the control of this matter out of the hands of the trawler owners' monopoly and returned it to the Foreign Office?

Mr. Eden

The hon. Gentleman can understand my reply in any way that suits him.

Mr. Younger

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is already a good deal of damage being done, especially in my constituency of Grimsby, to a very wide range of interests and that, whether this matter goes to the Court or not, it looks as if it will take a fairly long time to settle? Will he bring his influence to bear to see that in the meantime, while a decision is being reached, some of this damage is prevented?

Mr. Eden

I certainly know that this is a vexatious and troublesome problem. I think that the proposals we have made to the Icelandic Government are reasonable and fair. I hope that they will see their way to accept them. The right hon. Gentleman the Member for Grimsby (Mr. Younger), with his experience of the Foreign Office, will agree that I ought to give them a reasonable time to reply before I make a further statement.