HC Deb 24 April 1967 vol 745 cc206-7W
Mr. Archer

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will initiate discussions with a view to vesting control of the High Seas in the United Nations Organisation.

Mr. Mulley

Under the aegis of the United Nations, four Conventions have already been drawn up to which the United Kingdom and an increasing number of other nations are parties. These relate to the Territorial Sea and Contiguous Zone, the High Seas, the Continental Shelf, and Fishing and Conservation of the Living Resources of the High Seas. As regards shipping, the Inter-governmental Maritime Consultative Organisation (IMCO) is a United Nations Specialised Agency and we have taken the initiative in this body of calling for an Extraordinary Council meeting on 4th and 5th May to consider questions arising out of the "Torrey Canyon" disaster.