§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, in view of Her Majesty's 512W Government's decision not to sign the United Nations law of the sea treaty, if the United Kingdom will be able to benefit from those provisions to which it has no objection.
§ Mr. RifkindAny rights or benefits accruing under the convention for the parties to it would take effect only as and when the convention entered into force. If the United Kingdom did not become a party, it would continue to enjoy the rights which it benefits from under existing international law.
§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Commonwealth and European Economic Community countries have declared their intention not to sign the United Nations law of the sea treaty.
§ Mr. RifkindNo Commonwealth or European Community country has declared its intention not to sign the United Nations law of the sea convention. But, like the United Kingdom, the Federal Republic of Germany, Belgium and Italy will, according to our present information, not be signing the convention at the final session of the United Nations law of the sea conference in Jamaica.