HC Deb 04 May 1959 vol 605 c20
33. Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Icelandic Government are now permitting British trawlers to land men who are seriously ill at Icelandic ports without penalty.

Mr. R. Allan

The Icelandic Government permit British trawlermen who are seriously ill to be landed at an Icelandic port for treatment from their own vessel. If the skipper of the vessel concerned could be charged with infringement of the Icelandic fishery regulations, he would be liable to be prosecuted.

Mr. Wall

Will my hon. Friend agree that this is a humanitarian rather than a political matter? Will he make further representations to the Iceland Government, who have a very excellent record when it comes to succouring seamen in distress?

Mr. Allan

Yes, but this is one of the unfortunate consequences of the whole dispute, which is not of Her Majesty's Government's seeking.