Lord CAMPBELL of CROYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the 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 Iceland on fishing.
§ The PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE, FOREIGN and COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (Lord Goronwy-Roberts)My Lords, as my right honourable friend the Minister of State for Defence said in another place yesterday, following the breakdown of the negotiations with the Icelandic Government, and the inability of the civilian protection vessels to repel the attacks of Icelandic gunboats, Her Majesty's Government have reluctantly decided to provide Naval protection for our trawlers fishing off Iceland. Her Majesty's Government remain ready to resume negotiations with Iceland at any time anywhere.
Lord CAMPBELL of CROYMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that statement. I appreciate the protection now available for British vessels, but will the Government seek to negotiate an agreement making conservation the main point?—because this is most important for both Britain and Iceland. In the meantime, are the British Government placing any limit on the catch by British vessels within the 50-mile zone, on the lines of the last agreement which has just expired?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, on the last point, I do not think I can give the information this afternoon. But I hope to give it to the noble Lord, Lord Campbell of Croy, sometime today 264 before I leave, and, indeed, to indicate it in the appropriate way to the House. On the first point of conservation, we are ready to restart negotiations on every thing, including conservation, in which we certainly have an equal interest to that of the Icelanders.
§ The PRINCIPAL DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES (Baroness Tweedsmuir of Belhelvie)My Lords, can the noble Lord the Minister say whether the Government are trying to negotiate a truce whereby a meeting could perhaps be arranged, as last time, between the two Prime Ministers concerned, finally to settle the matter? Secondly, has Iceland said that she herself will cut her catch of cod and, if so, by how much?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, on the second part of the supplementary question of the noble Baroness, Lady Tweedsmuir of Belhelvie, as she knows there have been discussions between experts from Iceland and from this country. There was some agreement as to the statistics relating to the present situation, but no agreement as to how much or how little should be caught for the future in order to meet the requirements of restocking and conservation. To my knowledge, the Icelanders have not indicated what catch they would consider to be in their interest and for their need. I take absolutely the first point raised by the noble Baroness. It was found very useful and effective for that kind of encounter to take place at that level on a previous occasion. I have no doubt at all that my right honourable friend will give very close attention to what has been suggested this afternoon by the noble Baroness.
§ Lord BROCKWAYMy Lords, I welcome what has been said by my noble friend regarding the willingness to enter into negotiations. But is there not a great field for negotiations particularly since, when the Law of the Sea Conference meets, it is likely to establish a 200-mile limit which would be of advantage to this country?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSYes, my Lords; that is eminently possible. There is fairly general agreement among the nations of the world on a 200-mile limit. We have expressed our own agreement with that as a principle. We should 265 be anxious to continue to play our part —a prominent part, judging from the recent past—in that Conference, and we very much hope that our friends and allies of long standing in Iceland might hold their hand for the relatively short period between now and, we hope, the successful conclusion of the United Nations Conference which, among other things, would settle the question of exclusive zone rights.
Lord CAMPBELL of CROYMy Lords, in view of the action today of the Icelandic Government in denying port and landing facilities, are the Government satisfied that there are enough support vessels for our trawlers in the area? Also, will the Government quickly bring a hospital ship into the area, as was done on a similar occasion in the past?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, I can give an unqualified No to the latter part of that supplementary question. As to the first part about the adequacy of the presence, it is not a question only of the three frigates, the one there already and the two which will be there by Saturday, but also of the continuing presence of the unarmed vessels.