§ 38. Mr. Peter Archerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will initiate discussions at the United Nations with a view to the undertaking of a survey of ocean space by the United Nations Development Plan.
§ Mr. FoleyNo, Sir. I appreciate that there are vast areas of the sea and seabed about which we know very little, but there is already a great deal of research being undertaken both nationally and by the various bodies of the United Nations.
§ Mr. ArcherI entirely agree with my hon. Friend's first statement. Does he accept that such surveys as there have been have been undertaken by people, however honest, whose objectivity must be in question? If we are to prevent piecemeal expropriation of the ocean space, it not time running out?
§ Mr. FoleyI accept, as my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said in February of this year, the desirability of a greater degree of international control over this development.