Law of the Sea Convention (Hansard, 24 June 1997)

§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)
My Lords, we recognise that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea is the 1464 most significant maritime convention this century. Its provisions cover virtually every topic of importance to coastal and maritime states, including the protection and preservation of the marine environment. The Government intend to push environmental concerns up the global agenda. Ministers have not yet had the opportunity to consider the UK's accession to the convention. Noble Lords may rest assured that Ministers will be considering this question soon.

§ Lord Archer of Sandwell
My Lords, I thank my noble friend the Minister for that very encouraging Answer. However, does she agree that we are already doing virtually everything which would be enjoined on us by the convention and that the only problem in the past has been the significance of Rockall for the exclusive economic zone? Is not the sole issue whether the fishing industry should share 0.2 per cent of its catch with such foreign boats as occasionally venture into that area? Indeed, for the sake of that, are we not disqualifying ourselves from discussions on the whole new regime? Can my noble friend the Minister go a stage further and promise that, under this Government, we will not be condemned eternally to pay the price of every item on the menu but always miss out on the food?

§ Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
My Lords, I hope that I have made it clear that the Government support the UNCLOS. We certainly intend to accede to the convention. However, as I said, Ministers will need first to consider what timing best suits the interests of the United Kingdom.

§ Lord Wilberforce
My Lords, is the Minister aware that I tabled exactly the same Question as the noble and learned Lord, Lord Archer, as long ago as November 1994? The Answer then given on behalf of the previous government was that they were working on the procedure to enable the UK to accede to the convention. Can the noble Baroness accelerate that procedure, which has apparently already occupied two-and-a-half years?

§ Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
My Lords, I thank the noble and learned Lord for his contribution. However, I should like to point out to him that the latest form of the convention was adopted in July 1994. The previous government had 32 months to consider whether or not to accede to the convention, whereas the current government have had less than two months to do so. I have given the House the assurance that it will be done as soon as the timing indicates that it is in the best interests of the United Kingdom.

Viscount Cranborne
My Lords, can the Minister give the House an assurance that the situation surrounding the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom waters as affected by the dispute over the ownership of Rockall will play a part in the deliberations that Her Majesty's Government will be undertaking when considering the timing of accession?

§ Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
My Lords, the UK title to Rockall is not affected by accession to the convention. British sovereignty over Rockall was 1465 proclaimed in 1955 and confirmed by the Island of Rockall Act 1972, which made Rockall a part of Scotland. Indeed, Rockall will remain a part of Scotland.

§ Lord Chalfont
My Lords, does the Minister agree that the convention confers advantages on coastal states not only in environmental terms but also in terms of fishing rights and, more importantly, freedom of the sea? Further, although the Government have not yet had much time to consider the matter, can the Minister give the House an assurance that the examination of procedures will be swift and the outcome positive?

§ Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
My Lords, I can certainly give the noble Lord the assurance that the examination will be swift. Indeed, I agree with him that there are many benefits to the international community conferred by the convention, not only as regards establishing a clear legal regime on the high seas but also as regards rights of passage of naval and civilian ships and aircraft and promoting international marine conservation.