HC Deb 18 November 1963 vol 684 cc620-2
32. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will take steps, by way of convening an international conference or otherwise, to bring together the nations interested in fishing in northern waters, such as the North Sea and Georges Bank, to enable them to come to agreement as to fishing grounds and fishing rights in order to prevent misunderstanding and to preserve international harmony.

Mr. P. Thomas

As was announced in the House by my right hon. Friend the then Lord Privy Seal on 29th April, Her Majesty's Government have invited members of the European Free Trade Association and of the European Economic Community, Iceland, the Irish Republic and Spain to a conference to discuss fishery problems. The conference will now open in London on 3rd December. We hope that it will meet the purpose suggested in the hon. and learned Gentleman's Question.

Mr, Hughes

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that this matter has been hanging fire for a long time and is of great importance, as evidenced by the latest incidents of two more Aberdeen trawlers, the "Aberdeen Merchant" and the "Glengairn" arrested this weekend by a Faroese gunboat? Does the hon. Gentleman agree that it is of real importance that all the nations interested in and around the North Sea should be brought together immediately with a view to establishing friendly relations and preventing a recurrence of these very unpleasant incidents?

Mr. Thomas

I certainly agree with the hon. and learned Member about the importance of the conference.

Mr. G. R. Howard

Whilst congratulating Her Majesty's Government on their initiative in calling this conference, which we are all pleased to hear will take place on 3rd December, may I ask whether my hon. Friend can give me an assurance that this will in no way interfere with the notice which we gave at the same time as that statement about the possible extension of our territorial waters without which the livelihood of our inshore fishermen will be done away with for ever?

Mr. Thomas

Yes, Sir. The then Lord Privy Seal announced our intentions on this matter on 29th April and after the conference is over we hope to be able to announce our decision.

Mr. Grimond

While welcoming the conference, may I ask whether the hon. Gentleman's reply means that the question of limits as well as the preservation of stocksand the protection of breeding grounds is on the agenda and whether the Scottish Office will be represented? May I ask also whether any invitation has been sent to Iron Curtain countries which are now supplying some of the biggest fishing fleets in the North Sea?

Mr. Thomas

The Scottish Office has been concerned with the conference from the very beginning, and in the course of the conference will be concerned with it. As for an invitation to Iron Curtain countries, one of the purposes of this conference is to consider the situation following notification of our intention to terminate our participation in the 1882 North Sea Fisheries Convention. The Iron Curtain countries were not parties to that Convention. One of the purposes of the conference also will be to discuss trade in fish, and as the Iron Curtain countries have a different trading system it may well be that they will not be able to enter into discussions which we hope to have.