§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the nature of their apparent claims to the continental shelf around Rockall (as depicted in 635WA recent years in the Department of Energy's Brown Book) and what are the foundations in international law of those claims.
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Young)The areas depicted in theBrown Book are ones which have been designated as British by Orders in Council under the Continental Shelf Act 1964. The foundations in international law include international agreements (notably the Geneva conventions 1958), decisions about the delimitation of the continental shelf by the international courts, such as the International Courts of Justice, and the practice of states. In particular, the United Kingdom has a valid claim to the Rockall Plateau on the basis of the criterion of natural prolongation.
§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether their claims to the continental shelf around Rockall have been accepted or disputed by other governments and, if so, by which and on what grounds.
§ Baroness YoungThe boundaries of the continental shelf appertaining to the United Kingdom and lying to the west of Scotland have not yet been established with the other states concerned. Discussions continue with the Irish, Icelandic and Danish Governments.
§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
What answer they have given to the Icelandic Government's communication proposing quadripartite discussions with the Irish and Danish Governments concerning parts of the continental shelf in the general area of Rockall.
§ Baroness YoungThe substance of such diplomatic contacts must remain confidential.