§ Mr. Altonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will sign the United Nations convention on the Law of the Sea.
§ Mr. RifkindThe Government will consider carefully the balance of advantage before deciding whether to sign the convention. There is no doubt that the clauses on the mining of the seabed would be disadvantageous to the United Kingdom, although there are other clauses such as those concerning freedom of navigation which would help us.
§ Mr. Craigenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Her Majesty's Government intend to sign the United Nations convention on the Law of the Sea; and if he has had discussions with the Government of the United States of America over United States participation in the convention.
§ Mr. RifkindThe Government's decision will depend on our final analysis of the balance of advantage to be derived from signature of the convention. We remain in close touch on these matters with our allies, including the United States Government.