§ Sir Knox Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress he has made in arranging for the enlarged Admiralty jurisdiction contained in the Administration of Justice Act 1956 to be incorporated in the respective legal systems of Tonga and the British Antarctic Territory; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LuardNo further progress in arranging for the enlarged Admiralty jurisdiction contained in the Administration of Justice Act, 1956 to apply in the law of Tonga was made before the new Treaty of Friendship came into operation on 5th December, 1968. Under that Treaty, Her Majesty's Government no longer has any power to legislate for Tonga in such matters. So far as the British Antarctic territory is concerned, since there are no regular courts in the territory, and as very few ships ever navigate those waters, we do not propose to extend the Act there at this stage.