HC Deb 18 July 1973 vol 860 cc129-30W
Mr. Laurance Reed

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what protest he will make to the French Government about the effect on British interests of France's breach of the Conventions on the Law of the Sea 1958 relating to the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice in any dispute arising out of the interpretation or application of any article of the said convention.

Mr. Amery

None. If my hon. Friend has in mind the Optional Protocol on the Compulsory Settlement of Disputes, which was adopted together with the 1958 Conventions, France has not ratified that protocol and cannot therefore be in breach of it. It has not been invoked by any party in relation to the present proceedings before the International Court.

Mr. Laurance Reed

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what protest he will make to the French Government about the effect on British interests of France's breach of Article 8 of the Geneva Convention on the High Seas relating to the immunity of warships from the jurisdiction of any State other than the flag State.

Mr. Amery

None. No action has been taken which calls for any protest by Her Majesty's Government in respect of Article 8 of the Geneva Convention on the High Seas.

Mr. Laurance Reed

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what protest he will make to the French Government about the effect on British interests of France's breach of Article 2 of the Geneva Convention on the High Seas relating to the freedom to fly over the high seas.

Mr. Amery

None. No action has been taken which calls for any protest by Her Majesty's Government in respect of Article 2 of the Geneva Convention on the High Seas.

Forward to