HC Deb 25 June 1958 vol 590 cc403-4
16. Dame Irene Ward

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will give consideration to ways of ensuring closer co-operation with Iceland.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

Yes, Sir. Her Majesty's Government are anxious for this closer co-operation.

Dame Irene Ward

Does my right hon. and learned Friend think that there is any opportunity to help Iceland to decrease her economic dependence on fishing by obtaining some diversification in her forms of livelihood? Does he think we could help by advice or by offering any means of exchange of new industries to help forward Iceland's economy?

Mr. Lloyd

I think my hon. Friend is quite right in her suggestion. For example, we have recently provided experts to take part in a study, which the Icelandic Government asked O.E.E.C. to undertake, of a new plant in Iceland which would have the effect of diversifying her industries. We will certainly do all we can to help.

Sir R. Boothby

In view of the urgent necessity to conserve the spawning grounds of fish in the North Sea, does not my right hon. and learned Friend think that a fresh approach might be made to the Icelandic Government to see whether we could not come to a settlement on a scientific rather than a political basis and protect some of our own spawning grounds, for example, the Moray Firth, as well as their spawning grounds?

Mr. Lloyd

We shall be ready to do that. I shall be very willing indeed to enter into negotiations with the Icelandic Government.