§ Mrs. Winifred Ewingasked the Secretar of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy towards the Norwegian Government's announcement of proposals to provide trawler-free zones up to 47 miles from the north Norwegian coast during the winter of 1974–75 and to expand fishing limits to 50 miles in 1975; and what action he has taken.
§ Mr. EnnalsOn 17th October Dr. Evensen, the Norwegian Minister responsible, visited London and presented me with detailed proposals for the establishment of three trawler-free zones off Northern Norway. These proposals are now being examined by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland. They are also being discussed with representatives of the British fishing industry.
While the Government are not opposed in principle to the establishment of such trawler-free zones, we fully reserve our position on the detailed proposals put forward by Dr. Evensen. If they appear to place excessive restrictions on British fishing activities in the area, we shall prepare counter-proposals for discussion with Dr. Evensen, when he returns for substantive talks towards the end of November.
I am aware of the Norwegian statement about their intention to extend fishing limits off Northern Norway to 50 miles in 1975. I have fully reserved British rights on this question. I made it clear to Dr. Evensen on 17th October that we oppose unilateral extensions of jurisdiction beyond what is permitted by international law, and that we will stand by the interests and concerns of the British fishing industry.