HC Deb 05 June 1967 vol 747 cc107-8W
Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that for alleged infringements of fishing in British and foreign territorial fishing grounds, respectively, there are great disparities in the fines inflicted by foreign and British courts to the disadvantage of British trawlers; and if he will present this aspect to the Court of International Justice with a view to securing equality of treatment for British trawlers, or initiate international discussions on this matter.

Mr. William Rodgers

Disparities in fines are not necessarily unjustifiable. If proceedings in a foreign court involving a British subject produced a denial of justice or failure to accord the treatment guaranteed under a bilateral treaty of commerce or the European Convention on Human Rights, Her Majesty's Government would take action with the Government concerned.