HC Deb 02 December 1957 vol 579 cc12-3W
83. Lady Tweedsmuir

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reply he has received from the Russian authorities concerning his claim for compensation for the gear of fishing vessels damaged in incidents during the summer months.

Mr. Ian Harvey

Sixteen claims arising out of these incidents were presented to the Soviet authorities on 15th July. On 14th October, the Soviet authorities replied that they accepted liability in one of these cases and that three of them could not be investigated as the Soviet vessels allegedly involved were not identified. The remaining cases were stated to be under investigation.

The separate claim made by the owners of the "Bilsdean" was rejected by the Soviet authorities in July on the grounds that no Soviet vessels were in the area concerned at the time of the incident. This reply has been passed on to the owners of the "Bilsdean".