HC Deb 25 January 1956 vol 548 cc24-5W
60. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, if he will now make a statement on the subjects discussed and conclusions reached at the discussions held early in January, 1956, between representatives of the Foreign Office, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and of the fishing industry.

Mr. Dodds-Parker

On 5th January my hon. Friends the Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Parliamentary Under-Secretaries in the Foreign Office and the Scottish Office met representatives of the British fishing industry to hear their views on proposals relating to the Icelandic fisheries dispute which have been made by a Special Group of the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation, and submitted to Her Majesty's Government and the Icelandic Government for consideration.

All sections of the industry said that they were ready to accept in principle the proposals of the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation Group while making some suggestions in detail for their practical implementation.

I should like to express Her Majesty's Government's appreciation of the industry's helpful response to the constructive proposals put forward by the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation Group.