§ 16. Mr. Wallasked the Minister of State for Defence what further steps he is taking to protect British vessels fishing on the high seas off Iceland.
§ The Minister of State for Defence (Lord Balniel)I would ask my hon. Friend to await the statement which my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs will be making later this afternoon.
The position on naval vessels is that a frigate is close at hand and can be ordered to the aid of British trawlers if necessary.
§ Mr. WallI welcome that reply. Can my right hon. Friend confirm that this means that Her Majesty's ships will be available to intervene in any further incident? Does he agree that the recent action of the Icelandic gunboats has been dangerous to life, irresponsible and against international law?
§ Lord BalnielI can certainly confirm that British naval vessels are available and can be ordered to the assistance of British trawlers if needed. I condemn very vigorously the action of the gunboat, which was a serious hazard to life and property. There is widespread parliamentary and public concern about the resumption of harassment of British trawlers. But I ask my hon. Friend to await the more comprehensive statement that my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary will be making later.