§ Mr. Woofasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the dividing lines between the United Kingdom and other countries such as France, Norway and the Republic of Ireland will be determined in full.
§ Mr. HattersleyThe United Kingdom's Continental Shelf dividing lines with Norway (up to 61° 44′ 12” N), Denmark, the Federal Republic of Germany and the Netherlands have already been agreed.
As my right hon. Friend said on 18th July 1975, the delimitation of our Continental Shelf boundary with France has been submitted to a Court of Arbitration. The court's decision is expected some time in 1977.
Officials of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have been in touch with the Irish Government about the delimitation of our Continental Shelf boundary with the Republic of Ireland; and with the Norwegian Government for the purpose of agreeing the median line north of 61° 44' 12" N.
It will eventually become necessary to open negotiations with Belgium and Denmark in respect of the Faroes. But I cannot yet say when this will be.