§ 72. Mr. Awberyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what guarantee has been given that naval vessels off the coast of Iceland will give protection to all trawlers going inside the 12-mile limit; why a number of trawlers were recently divided into three packs with a protective vessel to each pack; and how many naval vessels are now stationed in this area.
§ Mr. C. Ian Orr-EwingIn a statement made on 1st September, 1958, it was made clear that Her Majesty's Government considered it their duty to preserve the rights of British fishing vessels on the high seas.
British trawlers fishing inside the 12-mile fishery limit claimed by Iceland are grouped in specified areas known as havens. This is the most effective way of preventing unlawful interference with these vessels, and allows them to follow as closely as possible their normal fishing pattern.
The number of Her Majesty's ships at present on protection duty off Iceland varies between three and four.