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2 Clause 6, page 5, line 22, at end insert—
or
(iv) to avoid a conflict with any obligation of the United Kingdom arising out of any international agreement in force for the United Kingdom.".
The Earl of GowrieMy Lords, I beg to move that the House doth agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 2. Here again, we are trying to meet a point raised by the Opposition in another place. The amendment is drafted to reflect closely the language of the American Act which refers to
international obligations established by any treaty or international convention in force with respect to the United States".The stated intention of the Opposition was to reflect the similar provisions in the American and German Acts. That seems good sense where we are dealing with international waters. I beg to move.
§ Moved, That this House doth agree with the Commons in the said amendment.—(The Earl of Gowrie.)
§ Lord Wynne-JonesMy Lords, we on this side of the House are very glad that this amendment was passed by the Commons and is being accepted by the Government. It is a very important matter that any obligation undertaken by the United Kingdom with regard to deep sea mining should be in agreement with any international conference conclusion. Unfortunately, at the present time the Government of the United States has shown no agreement at all in going ahead with the international conference on deep sea mining. We feel that it is extremely important that what we do in this country should be in agreement with international conventions.
We hope that the Government will bear in mind that it is important that this Bill, which, as was stated by my noble friend Lord Kennet and also my noble friend Lord Ritchie-Calder during Second Reading in this House, is not really a Bill of great importance, does not run counter to any international agreement that may be reached. Therefore, we would support this amendment and I suggest that your Lordships should agree to it.
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.