HC Deb 10 April 1981 vol 2 c381W
Mr. Greenway

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which European Economic Community member States that do not border the North Sea have historic fishing rights in the North Sea.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

"Historic" rights are normally considered to be rights granted under the London Fisheries Convention of 1964 to fish between 6 and 12 miles of baselines. Such rights have been granted in respect of certain fish species and defined sections of the United Kingdom North Sea coast to France, Belgium, the Netherlands and the Federal Republic of Germany, all of which border on the North Sea.