§ Mr. SayeedTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his intentions with respect to the declaration of an exclusive economic zone around each of the dependent territories of(a) the Pitcairn Islands, (b) the British Indian Ocean Territories, (c) South Shetland, (d) South Sandwich, (e) South Orkney, (f) Bermuda, (g) Gibraltar, (h) Anguilla, (i) the British Virgin Islands, (j) the Cayman Islands, (k) Montserrat, (l) the Turks and Caicos Islands, (m) Ascension Islands, (n) St. Helena, (o) Tristan da Cunha, (p) the Falkland Islands and (q) South Georgia.
§ Mr. MellorMaritime zones are declared on a case-by case basis, taking into account all factors relevant to each case. We do not believe that there would be practical advantage in declaring EEZs around dependent territories, nor for that matter the United Kingdom, at present. Exclusive fisheries zones have already been declared around most territories listed while, in accordance with international law, exclusive rights over the continental shelf are inherent.
I am writing to the hon. Member giving details of the present position in regard to the different territories.