§ Mr. Beithasked the Minister for Trade whether the September 1982 plenary meeting of the International Cable Protection Committee has put forward protocols affecting the compensation provisions of the 1884 Paris convention, particularly in relation to the effect of cable work on fisheries; what position was adopted by Her Majesty's Government's representative at this committee; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ButcherI have been asked to reply.
The International Cable Protection Committee is not an Inter-Governmental organisation and Her Majesty's Government are not represented on it. Membership is confined to the owners of submarine telegraph cables and I understand that British Telecom and Cable and Wireless are two of the 31 members of the committee.
I understand that protocols affecting the compensation provisions of the 1884 Paris convention were considered by the September 1982 plenary meeting of the committee. These protocols are believed to have been concerned in part with the effect of cable work on fisheries, but I understand that no definitive conclusions were reached.