§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Lord Privy Seal what has been the nature, scope and results of discussions between Her Majesty's Government and the United States Government concerning the international consortia formed to exploit deep sea bed resources.
§ Mr. HurdThe internal arrangements for commercial deep sea bed mining consortia are a matter for the companies concerned. But Her Majesty's Government will continue to work closely with the United States Government in seeking to obtain assured access for companies to deep sea bed minerals under an international regime.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Lord Privy Seal if Her Majesty's Government plan to make any special arrangements for overseas 154W students from developing countries who require training in techniques of deep sea bed mining.
§ Mr. HurdThe United Kingdom is prepared to consider a contribution towards a multilateral training fund to help meet the early manpower requirements of the proposed International Seabed Authority, if other countries also contribute. This matter will be considered further at the Ninth Session of the United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea.