HL Deb 08 February 1979 vol 398 c960WA
Lord KENNET

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether in their view rights in international law which are not exercised lapse; and if so, after what period of not being exercised they may be held to have lapsed.

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

There is no doubt that in certain circumstances rights under international law may be deemed to have been waived or abandoned or to have otherwise lapsed, but each case would have to be examined closely in the light of its particular facts.