HC Deb 01 May 1958 vol 587 cc575-6
62. Mr. Wall

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will now make a further statement on the proceedings of the Geneva Conference on the Law of the Sea and as to how the decisions taken will affect the British fishing industry.

Mr. John Hare

The matter of primary concern is that the Geneva Conference was unable to reach a decision by the necessary majority on the question of the territorial sea. As stated by my right hon. and gallant Friend the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs on 28th April, the Government will do everything possible in this situation to safeguard the interests of the British deep-sea fishing industry.

The Conference reached decisions on several other matters affecting the fishing industry. In particular, agreement was reached upon a code of law governing fisheries conservation, representing a balance between the interests of coastal States and those with deep-sea fishing interests; and upon another covering the continental shelf under which the waters above the shelf outside the territorial sea are recognised as being high seas in which there is freedom to fish.

The Conference decided that those matters on which agreement was reached should be incorporated in Conventions which will be open to ratification by Governments.

Mr. Wall

While thanking my hon. Friend for that comprehensive reply and his interest in the fishing industry, may I ask him whether instructions cannot be given to the fishery protection squadron to safeguard our fishing vessels when fishing within legal limits?

Mr. Hare

As I have told my hon. Friend, Her Majesty's Government are doing all they can to protect our fishing industry at this moment.

Mr. Hoy

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, since the Conference ended, it has been reported that Iceland proposes to take unilateral action, and could he state what action he intends to take to preserve the rights of the British trawling fleet?

Mr. Hare

That is a purely hypothetical question. As my right hon. and gallant Friend the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs said the other day, we have made our position quite clear in this matter.

Lady Tweedsmuir

Does that mean that there will be no attempt to reopen the Conference? What safeguard is there against countries such as Iceland extending their fishing grounds for their own exclusive use?

Mr. Hare

In reply to the first part of my hon. Friend's Question, it was decided at the end of the Conference to suggest that further consideration could be given by the United Nations to try to resolve the questions on which there was no agreement. In reply to the second part, Her Majesty's Government, as I have said, are doing all they can to safeguard the interests of the British fishing industry.