HL Deb 28 February 1978 vol 389 cc466-7WA
Lord KENNET

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will take steps at the Law of the Sea Conference to ensure that vessels carrying nuclear materials of any kind that have been illicitly obtained should enjoy neither the right of innocent passage in other States' territorial sea, nor of free navigation in the High Seas, but should, like suspected carriers of psychotropic substances and radio pirates, be open to pursuit by Government vessels of all States.

The MINISTER of STATE, FOREIGN and COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (Lord Goronwy-Roberts)

Her Majesty's Government do not think it would be wise to seek to introduce provisions at the Law of the Sea Conference which could increase the risk of interference with maritime traffic on inadequate grounds and evidence. The provisions in existing treaties and in the Informal Composite Negotiating Text concerning psychotropic substances and unauthorised broadcasting in fact do not go as far as the Question implies.