HL Deb 11 June 1974 vol 352 cc325-6

2.54 p.m

THE EARL OF LAUDERDALE

My Lords, I beg leave to ask Question which stands in my name on the Order paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make a Statement on the negotiations with France to delimit Continental Shelf licensing areas in the Celtic Sea and South-Western Approaches.

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS)

No, my Lords. Discussions on this subject are continuing with the French Government, but must for the time being remain confidential to the two Governments.

THE EARL OF LAUDERDALE

My Lords, I thank the Minister for that reply, which was as informative as one could hope for in the circumstances. May I ask him, first, whether he would agree that these negotiations have now gone on for a very long time and are overdue for completion? Secondly, may I ask him whether he would confirm the view expressed by the previous Government about a year ago, that if agreement could not be reached, it would then be necessary to insist on the strict interpretation of the median line?

LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, of course these negotiations are very important, and important in implication. Therefore, the time spent in detailed negotiations with our friends across the Channel has been well spent. As to insisting on an early conclusion, we should be careful here because this is a very complicated matter. There are a number of aspects to it which two partners, two allies, should take time to consider with a view to reaching a mutually satisfactory agreement, which I have no doubt at all will, in fact, be reached in due course.

LORD CLIFFORD OF CHUDLEIGH

My Lords, is it not a fact that the trouble is that the French are still laying claim to the Channel Islands?

LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, I am answering questions in the British Parliament, not in the French Assembly.