§ Mr. Prescottasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether negotiations are still continuing with the Norwegian Government about fishing rights.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on 447W the present state of negotiations with the Norwegian Government for British fishing rights in Norwegian waters, if the Law of the Sea Conference extends fishing limits to 200 miles; and when he proposes to meet the Norwegian Fisheries Minister.
§ Mr. HattersleyAs my right hon. Friend said in the reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull, West (Mr. Johnson) on 30th January, contact is being maintained with Norway on fisheries matters at present through diplomatic channels. Responsibility for negotiations of fishing rights with third countries is one of the matters under examination in current discussions in the EEC of the implications of the extension of fisheries limits to 200 miles. Our first priority in these discussions is to secure a satisfactory adjustment of the common fisheries policy. I have no plans to meet the Norwegian Fisheries Minister at present.