§ 11. Mr. James Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement regarding the London talks with the Icelandic Government upon the fisheries limits dispute.
§ 15. Mr. Wallasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what communications he has had with the German and Icelandic Governments on fisheries limits.
§ 20. Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on the Icelandic fishing dispute.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeI have nothing to add to what I told the House on 7th May. We remain in close touch with the Federal German Government about our respective negotiations with Iceland.—[Vol. 856, c. 36–44.]
§ Mr. JohnsonIs the Foreign Secretary aware that two days ago, in Hull, a joint action committee of owners, skippers and unions met and decided not to ask for naval intervention at this stage? Will he confirm that it is the policy of the Government to intervene if and when asked by the industry? Has he noted that since the talks finished there was one warp-cutting incident, but since that happened five days ago there have been no others? Does the Foreign Secretary consider this a happy augury for his possible meeting next week or the week after—I do not know—in Strasbourg, with Mr. Agustsson, and will he say that if he goes he will then talk 478 about future meetings with Iceland on this matter?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeI shall certainly have an opportunity of seeing the Icelandic Foreign Minister in Strasbourg. I had noticed that there had been no warp cutting. I hope that the hon Member's interpretation is correct, and I shall keep my fingers crossed.
§ Mr. WallEvery time there have been negotiations there have been considerable British concessions and virtually none from Iceland. Will my right hon. Friend seek to redress that balance? Will he see that officers in charge of frigates off Iceland have orders to intervene in any attempt to capture a British trawler without having to refer to Whitehall and waste time?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeMinisters of Her Majesty's Government must control the operations of Her Majesty's Navy, and so I hope we shall give the necessary orders. But we want a compromise which will give us the catch that the industry thinks is adequate. We keep in close touch with the industry, and I hope that the House will leave the matter there.
§ Mr. McNamaraWhen replying to Questions earlier this week, the right hon. Gentleman said that the Icelandic Government had undertaken to study the latest batch of British proposals. Did they give any indication when they might be expected to reply, or are we merely waiting and hoping to work through intermediaries and chance meetings, at places where representatives of both Governments might happen to be, to arrive at a conclusion?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeWe said that we were willing to reopen negotiations at any time, but the Icelanders said that they could not yet give a date. I hope that they will take a decision very soon.
§ Mr. Laurance ReedWhen the Icelandic Government made their 50-mile claim last September, did they not simultaneously make a claim to control pollution up to 100 miles from the coastline, which followed an early example set by Canada? Was that claim also discussed at the talks?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeWe have not discussed pollution.
§ Mr. CallaghanI think that the House is ready to leave the matter where it is, as the right hon. Gentleman asked us, and we all hope that there will be a settlement. Nevertheless, in any further discussions with Iceland will he undertake to indicate to the Icelandic Government the strong view that some concessions must be made from their side, as well as from ours, if there is to be an agreement that will stand?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeYes, Sir.