§ Sir Patrick Wallasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what historic fishing rights exist off the Yorkshire coast for foreign vessels from six to 12 miles; and for how long these rights have been actively maintained.
§ Mr. Buchanan-Smith"Historic rights" are generally considered to be those granted under the London convention of 1964 to fish between six and 12 miles of baselines, which were based on habitual fishing patterns dating back to 1953. A list of these rights in British waters was placed in the Library of the House on 30 April 1981.