HC Deb 07 December 1983 vol 50 cc173-4W
33. Mr. Douglas

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the nature and purpose of Her Majesty's Government's continued association with the third United Nations convention on the law of the sea.

Mr. Rifkind

Although some provisions of the convention are helpful, those relating to deep seabed mining are not acceptable to us. In order to seek satisfactory improvements in the seabed mining regime, we are participating in the preparatory commission set up to prepare for implementation of parts of the convention.