§ 18. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the disadvantages resulting to the British fishing industry from the policy of the Norwegian Government since the recent fisheries conference in London, he will seek, jointly with the Norwegian Government, to reopen the matter in order to seek an agreement more favourable to the British industry.
§ Mr. P. ThomasNo, Sir. As I pointed out in reply to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, Leith (Mr. Hoy) on 3rd March, the position of British deep-water fishermen remains today as it was before the conference, and, as regards fishing grounds off the coast of Norway, is governed by the Anglo-Norwegian Agreement of 1960. I know of no change in the policy of the Norwegian Government since the conference.
§ Mr. HughesMay I remind the hon. Gentleman of at least one change that has resulted in its being necessary to send British gunboats to these fishing waters? Does the Minister of State realise that certain nations which have traditional fishing rights in the North Sea and adjacent waters, and which were represented at that conference, are shocked at the way in which the conference was conducted and with some of its findings? Will he take into consideration what I have just said with a view to reopening the conference to see that justice is done to British fishing rights?
§ Mr. ThomasI am very sorry, but I think that the hon. and learned Gentleman must have confused these matters. This question is about Norway. British fishermen are fishing in Norwegian waters now to the same extent as before the conference, and will continue to do so until 1970. There is no question of the Norwegian Government having altered their policy since the conference.
§ Mr. HughesOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I said that British gunboats were there. It is not British gunboats but the British protection squadron; but my point remains the same.