HC Deb 09 November 1971 vol 825 c142W
Mr. Laurance Reed

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many countries now claim a territorial sea of 12 miles or more, and how many countries three miles or less.

Mr. Anthony Royle

Of countries members of the United Nations which possess a coastline, 62 at our latest count claim a territorial sea of 12 miles or more, and 24 claim three miles. There are also 17 countries which claim territorial sea of between three and 12 miles.

Mr. Laurance Reed

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now follow the French example and extend British territorial waters to the median line in the Dover Strait so that navigation can be controlled on the British side of this waterway.

Mr. Anthony Royle

We are studying the implications of the French Government's proposal to extend territorial waters from three to twelve miles. No decision has yet been taken as to whether the British limit should be similarly extended.