HC Deb 01 May 1974 vol 872 cc1142-3
25. Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the British position at the United Nations Law of the Sea Conference with regard to fisheries limits and territorial waters.

Mr. Ennals

In accordance with my undertaking to the House on 27th March, I am convening a seminar on 15th May at which both hon. Members and other interested parties will be able to make their views known on all aspects of our policy at the conference. Meanwhile, I am not in a position to make a statement on particular aspects of our policy.—[Vol. 871, c. 441–3.]

Mr. Wall

I thank the Minister for convening the seminar, which I think will be very useful. Is he considering co-ordinating EEC policy on fisheries limits or will it be merely a British policy? It seems to some of us that if the Minister could obtain an EEC policy it might be more effective at the conference.

Mr. Ennals

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his comment on the decision to call the conference. I hope that he and other hon. Members will take part. We are, of course, in consultation with our colleagues in the EEC and in other countries about the conference, but I do not want to take any firm position in advance of the seminar, which will be held for the purpose of consultation.

Mr. James Johnson

I do not for one moment want to embarrass the Minister, but will he note that there is all-party support for the extension of limits to 200 miles? The fishing industry is delighted, but will my right hon. Friend note that we must not be chauvinistic about this? We must allow landlocked nations such as East Germany and Poland, which have fine fishing fleets, to have access under the licence system to the waters in and about these islands

Mr. Ennals

I am aware that the United Kingdom fishing industry has given a good deal of support to the extension to the 200-mile fishery zone. I take seriously the point made by my hon. Friend, which has also been made in representations from other quarters, that we should look carefully at international concerns as well as at national ones.

Mr. Douglas Henderson

I join in congratulating the Minister on his decision to convene a seminar, but may I ask whether he is aware that there is still concern among fishing interests in Scotland that they have not yet been consulted by the Government over the pro-positions to be put forward at the conference? Is he also aware that there is great support there for the 200-mile limit, which we believe will guarantee the future of the fishing industry?

Mr. Ennals

Apart from consultations that are taking place at official level, invitations have now gone out to a large number of organisations in connection with the conference. If the hon. Gentleman has in mind people whom he thinks should be invited, I should be most grateful if he would let me know as quickly as he can.