HC Deb 28 July 1958 vol 592 cc917-8
1. Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will now make a statement about the progress in negotiations about the fishing limits off the Icelandic coast.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Ian Harvey)

I have nothing to add to the Answer I gave to the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes) and my hon. Friend the Member for Louth (Mr. Osborne) on 21st July. The Icelandic Government have so far declined to enter into negotiations about the proposed extension of their fishery limits.

Mr. Wall

In view of the continued refusal of the Icelandic Government to enter into any form of negotiations, will Her Majesty's Government consider with the friendly Governments in Western Europe the question of proposing some form of economic sanction if the Icelandic Government implement their illegal decision?

Mr. Harvey

The position of Her Majesty's Government has been made very clear and, as I indicated in the House the other day, we are anxious to enter into negotiations. It is therefore. I think, premature to make any indication of the kind the hon. Gentleman requires.

Mr. Younger

Since, in the absence of any successful negotiations, I understand that 1st September is the crucial date here, can the Minister assure us that Her Majesty's Government will give adequate advice to the fishing fleets as to how they should behave from that day?

Mr. Harvey

Most certainly.