HC Deb 02 May 1973 vol 855 cc1247-8
23. Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on the Anglo-Icelandic fisheries dispute.

24. Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Common wealth Affairs what discussions have taken place between Her Majesty's Government and the Icelandic Government on the current fishing dispute with Iceland.

The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Anthony Royle)

As hon. Members will know, ministerial talks between the British and Icelandic Governments are now to take place in Reykjavik on 3rd and 4th May, provided the situation on the fishing grounds so permits.

Mr. Wall

I welcome the resumption of these talks, but does my hon. Friend agree that the uncertainty which has gone on for eight months must be ended one way or another? Does he also agree that the British industry has made considerable concessions and that there are limits beyond which it cannot go?

Mr. Royle

I agree with my hon. Friend, and I am glad to say that there has been a reduction of tension at the fishing grounds since the dates for talks were agreed.

Mr. McNamara

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that everybody welcomes the fact that the talks are to take place and hopes that it will be possible to put behind us the unhappy incidents of the past eight months? Will he confirm that there has been no suggestion by Her Majesty's Government that this is anything more than an interim solution and that we are not prepared to give way on the principle of the 50-mile limit, which is due to be considered at the international conference?

Mr. Royle

That is correct.

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

I accept and welcome the fact that talks are to take place in Iceland. Will my hon. Friend confirm that he is doing everything he can with our European partners to ensure that until this dispute is settled the 50-mile limit is not accepted, while the existing 12-mile limit is, and that there is accord between ourselves and the Europeans about there being no imports from, and no agreement with, Iceland about the trade position in Europe?

Mr. Royle

Yes, Sir. We are in close touch with the German Government in particular, and we shall continue to keep in touch with them on the problem as a whole.

Mr. James Johnson

While all sensible people, on both sides, in Iceland and here, welcome the fact that the talks are beginning tomorrow, may I ask the hon. Gentleman to accept two things: first, that in the long term there are much bigger issues than catching fish in this whole matter of international limits which will be settled next year, 1974, at Santiago; and, secondly, that in the short term the lives and livelihood of our constituents on Humberside have been at issue and at stake for about seven months? It is therefore my belief that the less said today the better, in view of the fact that the talks are beginning tomorrow.

Mr. Royle

I should not disagree with any remarks made by the hon. Gentleman. Obviously everyone on both sides of the House is hopeful that these talks will prove to be successful.