HC Deb 16 March 1971 vol 813 c300W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Attorney-General to what extent his official opinion that the Simonstown Agreement is a legally enforceable agreement is based upon the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties which has never been ratified by Great Britain; to what extent other statutes or international documents affect the legal enforceability of the Simonstown Agreement; and whether he will make a statement.

The Attorney-General

The Law Officers' Opinion that the Sea Routes Agreement is a treaty creating legal obligations is not based upon the Vienna Convention of the Law of Treaties. The obligations of Her Majesty's Government under the Simonstown Agreements are not at the present time affected by any other international document nor are they affected by any statute.