§ 43. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what grounds he decided to accept a six-mile limit as sufficient to safeguard fishing interests if the United Kingdom enters the Common Market.
§ Mr. Anthony RoyleThe fishing grounds within the six-mile limit, notably the areas behind straight base-lines such as the Minches and Cardigan Bay, are recognised as being of very great importance. We consider our proposal a safe and reasonable approach given that members of the Six who fish in northwest European waters already have extensive but varying treaty rights to fish in important stretches of the 6–12 mile belt. There is a map available in the Library of the House.