§ 3. Mr. Willeyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will now make a statement on the Icelandic fisheries dispute.
§ Lord John HopeI hope that we shall be able to bring to a successful conclusion the discussions begun under the auspices of the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation, which were suspended before the elections in Iceland.
§ Mr. WilleyWhile expressing gratitude for the renewal of that hope, may I ask the Minister to do his utmost to bring this protracted and unhappy dispute to an early conclusion? I think he will agree that it has continued for too long and caused a good deal of ill-feeling between the two countries.
§ Lord John HopeHer Majesty's Government will do all that they can.
§ Mr. YoungerCan the hon. Gentleman tell us with whom the initiative now lies? He talked about the talks being suspended. By whom were they suspended, and by whom are they now to be renewed? Is this a matter for initiative on the part of the Government?
§ Lord John HopeThe Icelandic Government themselves have not yet had time to form an opinion on the matter. I would rather leave it at that at the moment.