HC Deb 15 January 1975 vol 884 cc115-6W
63. Mr. James Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement regarding the talks with the Norwegian Government held in Oslo on 8th January concerning her threat to ban British trawlers from certain areas off her coast.

Mr. Ennals

Provided that essential interests of the British fishing industry are not damaged, we are not opposed in principle to the establishment by agreement of non-discriminatory trawl-free zones off the coast of northern Norway to meet the special problems of local Norwegian fishermen. Following my talks in Oslo on 8th January, various proposals are under consideration on the basis of which I hope it will be possible to reach agreement.