§ 92. Mr. Shinwellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state the Government's present policy in the dispute over fishing rights between the United Kingdom and Iceland.
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreHer Majesty's Government's policy remains as stated in their declaration of 4th June, 1958, and their statement of 1st September, 1958. The right hon. Gentleman will know that since these Declarations were made Her Majesty's Government have, on a number of occasions, made suggestions, which I mentioned in my reply to the hon. Member for Bristol, Central (Mr. Awbery) on 11th May, for the negotiation of a temporary settlement of the dispute pending the results of the next United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea. The Icelandic Government, however, have remained unwilling to negotiate and have left Her Majesty's Government with no alternative but to continue to protect British fishing vessels while engaged on their lawful occasions on the high seas.