§ Mr. E. L. Mallalieuasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking to preserve ocean space beyond the limits of national jurisdiction from incursions of nationalism; and when he will put forward proposals for the extent of the limits of national jurisdiction.
§ Mr. GodberWe voted for the Resolution of the United Nations General Assembly which enlarged the United Nations Sea Bed Committee in order to prepare for a Conference on the Law of the Sea in 1973. We are playing a full part in the current work of the enlarged Committee which, amongst other important matters, will prepare draft Treaty Articles embodying an international regime, including international machinery, for the sea bed beyond the limits of national jurisdiction.
We believe that these questions are inter-related and that discussion of the regime, machinery and limits should proceed pari passu. We also hope that the 1973 Conference will reach international agreement on clear and precise limits to the territorial sea.