§ Mr. Oakesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will initiate negotiations in the United Nations for an Ocean Space Treaty to enable the ocean bed and the oceans themselves to be exploited to the advantage of all nations, including those technologically undeveloped.
§ Mr. MulleyNo. The principle that the exploration and use of the sea bed shall be carried on for the benefit and in the interests of all mankind taking into account the special needs of the developing countries is being discussed at the present Session of the General Assembly and Her Majesty's Government is already taking a prominent part in these discussions.
All nations are already entitled to exploit the High Seas and are free to fish and navigate. These freedoms are guaranteed by international law, primarily as contained in the 1958 Geneva Conventions on various aspects of the Law of the Sea.