HL Deb 13 May 1985 vol 463 cc1011-2WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether it continues to be their view that the natural resources of the sea-bed beyond any zone of national jurisdiction are the common heritage of mankind.

Baroness Young

Any observation directed to the concept of the common heritage of mankind as applied to the resources of the sea-bed, if the observation stands on its own, is liable to give rise to misunderstandings, since there is no agreement on the content and implications of the phrase. We have in the past indicated a willingness to accept the concept in the context of an acceptable regime giving substance and effect to it; but the content of that regime as a whole will determine whether a reference to the concept as part of it is acceptable.