§ Mr. Skeetasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the proposed international regime for controlling the exploitation of resources of the deep sea bed.
§ Mr. HurdAt the resumed eighth session of the United Nations law of the sea conference, held in New York from 19 July to 24 August, further progress was made towards reaching agreement on an internationally acceptable regime for the exploitation of the mineral resources of the deep sea bed. Details are given in the conference document A/Conf. 62/91, which is being placed in the Library
The remaining issues will be discussed at the ninth session of the conference, starting on 3 March 1980. It remains Her Majesty's Government's objective to reach agreement on a regime which would allow for assured access to deep sea bed minerals by States, public corporations and private companies as well as the proposed international mining enterprise.