§ 18. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Lord Privy Seal if he is aware of the continuing problem of fishing limits between Great Britain and European nations surrounding the North Sea and seas further north and that friendly relations between Great Britain and these other nations have a bearing on British economic prosperity and food supply; what steps he has taken during the last two months to resolve these problems; and with what result.
§ Mr. HeathI would ask the hon. and learned Gentleman to await the statement which I propose to make at the end of Questions.
§ Mr. HughesWhile awaiting that statement as to the continuous effect of these unfortunate problems in the North Sea, where there should be peace and harmony among the fishing nations, is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the incident which occurred only last Saturday in which the Icelandic gunboat "Odinn" fired shots at the Aberdeen trawler "Milwood" which was lawfully fishing in the North Sea? Does he not agree that these repeated incidents coerce him to the conclusion that he should summon some kind of parliament of the fishing nations of the North Sea to try to resolve these problems?
§ Mr. HeathI have received a considerable amount of information about the regrettable incident to which the hon. and learned Gentleman refers, but I would prefer not to comment on it because it is at the moment a very delicate matter. Meantime, perhaps the hon. and learned Member will use the time available before I make my statement thinking up some more questions; because I shall not have much time in which to think up the answers.