§ Mr. Awberyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many attempts have been made by Icelandic gunboats to board British trawlers within the 12-mile limit, and with what results; and how many fishery protection vessels are maintained in this area to protect these trawlers.
§ Mr. Orr-EwingSince 1st September, 1958, when the present fishery dispute with Iceland began, there have been 29 attempts by Icelandic gunboats to board British trawlers inside the 12-mile fishery limit claimed by Iceland. None of these attempts has led to serious incidents, partly because of the intervention of H.M. ships, partly as a result of the determination and self-restraint of trawler crews; on only two occasions has an Icelandic party succeeded in boarding a British trawler.
In the first of these cases, in September last year, the Icelandic boarding party was removed to a British Fishery Protection Vessel and subsequently landed in Iceland. In the second case, also last September, the boarding party withdrew of its own accord.
Three R.N. Fishery Protection Vessels are at present maintained in the Iceland area to give protection to British trawlers.