§ Mr. Prescottasked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the estimated area of sea bed, possible mineral content and locations which exist between the Law of the Sea proposed economic zone of 200 miles and the extension of the United Kingdom's Continental Shelf area to a depth of 600 metres where it exceeds 200 miles.
§ Dr. J. Dickson MabonI assume that my hon. Friend has in mind the strongly supported proposal at the Law of the Sea Conference for national jurisdiction to the outer edge of the continental margin where this lies beyond 200 nautical miles from the coast, irrespective of the water depth. Provisions for more precisely locating national boundaries are still under negotiation at the conference and, pending the outcome, it is not practicable to measure the area involved for the United Kingdom. As regards mineral resources, preliminary work has established the presence of prospective territory but it is far too early to assess the mineral potential or to specify locations.
§ Mr. Prescottasked the Secretary of State for Energy what is his policy towards the proposal of the European Commission that the mineral wealth in those sea bed areas that exist outside the Law of the Sea proposals of a 200 miles to a depth of 600 metres should come under EEC jurisdiction.
§ Dr. J. Dickson MabonNo such proposal has been made by the Commission.