South-West Approaches (Oil Drilling)

HC Deb 30 June 1975 vol 894 cc311-2W

47. Mr. Peter Mills

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government have come to any firm agreement with the French Government on the lines of demarcation for oil drilling in the southwest approaches of England.

Mr. Hattersley

The British and French Governments have agreed to submit the delimitation of their Continental Shelf boundary to arbitration. An arbi- tration agreement was initialled on 26th March. We hope to sign it shortly.