§ 28. Mr James Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the talks will be resumed in Reykjavik upon the Icelandic fishing limits; what is the composition of the British delegation; and if he will make a statement upon the latest proposals put up by Iceland.
§ 44. Mr. Wallasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on the continuation of talks with the Icelandic Government.
§ Mr. Anthony RoyleWe hope to resume talks in Reykjavik in the week beginning 10th July. The British delegation will again be led by my noble Friend the Minister of State, who will be accompanied by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and by officials from both Departments. No new formal proposals were made by Iceland during the June talks.
§ Mr. JohnsonIs the Minister aware that the national leaders of the deep sea fishing industry are today in Hull meeting the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, and that in my talks over the weekend in the constituency I have discovered nobody who is happy about the outcome of the Iceland negotiations? Will he say what are the Government's contingency plans in the event of a dead-lock? Could he assure the House that skippers and deck hands from Hull, Grimsby, Fleetwood and Aberdeen operating within the 50-mile limit until 1st September will be protected by the Royal Navy? If he cannot give such a guarantee, will he at least allow the deep-sea ports to have some protection, even to the extent of having naval commandos on board the fishing vessels?
§ Mr. RoyleI have noted the hon. Gentleman's remarks. We have already in mind the possibility of including in the talks in Reykjavik a representative from the British fishing industry. As for pro- 28 tection, I think the hon. Gentleman will remember the answer I gave to the House on 12th June. I will repeat that answer now: I cannot say that in no circumstances would we resort to naval protection for our fishing vessels.