HC Deb 02 March 1953 vol 512 cc15-6
18. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has yet studied the reply which he received on 18th February to his proposals to the Icelandic Government about the fisheries dispute; if he is aware that the fishing industry and consumers of fish are anxiously awaiting his forthcoming statement on the subject; and if he will expedite that statement.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

At present I have nothing to add to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. and learned Member on 23rd February. A statement will be made to the House at the earliest possible moment.

Mr. Hughes

The right hon. and learned Gentleman does not appear to be in an informative mood today. Is he further aware that I raised this matter with the Foreign Secretary only last week and that he then said he was studying the reply? Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman not agree that this is a very important matter affecting the food supplies of the country, that the Government appear to be abrogating the functions of Government and allowing them to be usurped by private interests, and will the Government study the matter and have it attended to immediately?

Mr. Lloyd

I certainly agree with the hon. and learned Gentleman that this is an important matter affecting many people. The reply of the Icelandic Government is being carefully studied, and I should like the hon. and learned Gentleman to realise that it is not our fault that this dispute has dragged on. We have made several proposals for a settlement, but none of them was acceptable to the Icelandic Government.

Sir H. Williams

Would the hon. and learned Gentleman be good enough to advise the Icelandic Government to be careful before they come to any arrangement with Mr. George Dawson?