HC Deb 04 June 1956 vol 553 cc702-4
44. Mr. Edward Evans

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the Agreement with the Soviet Government in regard to fisheries in waters adjacent to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Lord John Hope)

A new Anglo-Soviet Fisheries Agreement was signed in Moscow on 25th May. The Agreement is subject to ratification. The text has been published as a White Paper and is now available to hon. Members in the Vote Office. Briefly, the Agreement permits fishing vessels registered in the United Kingdom to fish in an area, which is defined in the Agreement, up to a distance of three miles from the Soviet coastline at low-water mark. It replaces a temporary agreement signed in 1930, which expired in July, 1955.

Mr. Evans

Is the Minister aware that the conclusion of this pact, following upon the Faroese agreement last year, will give much satisfaction to our longdistance trawling interests, particularly in respect of the long-term basis of the agreement? Is the noble Lord quite happy about the exclusion of certain areas, in some cases up to 100 miles and in many cases up to 12 miles off the coast, which we in this country always regarded as extra-territorial? Is not the continual erosion of that territorial waters principle likely to lead us into very great difficulties in the future? Should there not be some endeavour to try to enforce what have always been regarded as fishing rights up to a limit of only three miles?

Lord John Hope

As the hon. Member knows, the whole question of territorial limits falls to be discussed by the United Nations very soon. Meanwhile, I very much appreciate the hon. Member's comments on this particular agreement.

Mr. G. R. Howard

Is my noble Friend aware that this is a very welcome agreement and that the fishing industry will think that it is another example of what can be done by mutual discussion against unilateral action? Will the Government therefore take every possible opportunity to bring this to the notice of other Governments who might feel inclined to take further unilateral action in addition to that which they have already taken?

Lord John Hope

I am grateful to my hon. Friend.

Mr. Younger

Whilst joining with other hon. Members in welcoming this agreement, may I ask whether the reference to three miles in the Answer implies that there was a general recognition on both sides that three miles is the normal extent of territorial waters, a point which has been denied in some other negotiations?

Lord John Hope

It would not be right for me to give the impression that the Soviet Government recognise three miles as the normal limit. In their view this is a direct concession to us.

Mr. Duthie

Can my noble Friend say whether a similar agreement has been concluded between the Soviet Government and any other country which has fishing interests?

Lord John Hope

No, Sir, I think not. But certainly, as far as this three-mile concession goes, it is given only to our own vessels.