HC Deb 04 May 1982 vol 23 cc33-4W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now declare a 200-mile exclusive fishing zone round the Falkland Islands and dependencies.

Mr. Onslow

No, but we shall continue to keep under review the question of extending dependent territory fishing zones, including those of the Falkland Islands and their dependencies, to 200 miles.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now declare a 200-mile mineral exploitation zone round the Falkland Islands and dependencies and initiate the letting of contracts for oil exploration.

Mr. Onslow

No. The Geneva Convention on the Continental Shelf 1958 provides that the rights of a coastal State over its continental shelf do not depend on any express proclamation. We are always ready to consider applications from oil companies which wish to undertake exploration.