§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals he has to prevent future harassment of British oil and gas rigs by USSR intelligence-gathering trawlers, or by other vessels.
§ Mr. JuddUnauthorised entry into the 500-metre safety zones round oil and gas rigs on the United Kingdom Continental Shelf is an offence against United Kingdom law. In peace time the Armed Services would naturally assist owners and other authorities responsible for preventing or dealing with offences; their precise rôle would depend upon the circumstances. In the case of vessels not subject to United Kingdom law, such as Soviet Government vessels operated for non-commercial purposes, appropriate action would have to be taken through diplomatic channels.