§ Lord SHEPHERDMy Lords, I have just seen the Prime Minister's Statement on Iceland, and I would advise the House that it is one of a holding nature. I would suggest to the House that, in view of the length of the debate today, it might be best to 934 adopt one of our practices—that of having the Statement printed in Hansard and for us to continue with the debate. I think this would be the best thing to do. I have consulted with the noble Earl opposite and with the noble Lord, Lord Byers, and they both agree with this procedure.
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Following is the Statement referred to:
With permission, Mr. Speaker, I would like to make a Statement.
As the House will be aware, the Icelandic Prime Minister, Mr. Hallgrimsson, visited this country from 24th to 27th January. We held a series of meetings in which my right honourable friends the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and other Ministers also took part. In addition, talks were held between Mr. Hallgrimsson and my right honourable friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary. Legal advisers and conservation experts from both sides also met separately on 25th January to discuss problems which were referred to them.
Various formulae for a possible solution of the dispute were considered. I explained to Mr. Hallgrimsson our recognition of the importance of adequate measures to conserve fish stocks around Icelandic coasts in our interests as well as theirs.
The situation during the talks was complicated by problems which arose on the fishing banks as a result of action taken by Icelandic coastguard vessels. I am most grateful to the British fishing industry for the cooperation which they have shown in reducing the risk of serious clashes.
Mr. Hallgrimsson has now returned to Reykjavik to discuss the situation arising from our talks with his Government colleagues. I expect to be in touch with him again shortly. It will not be easy to find a solution to this most delicate problem and I am sure that the House will not wish to press me at this stage for details of the positions adopted by the two sides. It remains of great importance that nothing further should happen on the fishing banks to heighten tension, and in the last two hours I have found it necessary to re-emphasise this to Mr. Hallgrimsson.
It will be clear from what I have said that Her Majesty's Government have approached this matter in a constructive spirit and have shown and continues to show the greatest restraint. This point has been appreciated by our NATO partners and I would like to express my gratitude to the NATO Secretary General for the action which he took to make possible my meeting with the Icelandic Prime Minister.
I shall of course keep the House fully informed of any future developments. In the meantime it is important that the prospects for further discussions should not be endangered by speculation or by ill-judged words or actions, particularly on the fishing grounds.