§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in the light of recent events in the Black Sea, they will ensure that the question of the breadth of the territorial sea is discussed within NATO (Official Report, 6th July 1987, cols. 594–5); and whether they will seek agreement on the internationally agreed figure of 12 nautical miles.
§ The Minister of State for Defence Procurement (Lord Trefgarne)The breadth of the territorial sea is for individual coastal states to determine in accordance with international law, which allows for a maximum limit of 12 nautical miles. There is no need for discussion of the question of member states' limits within NATO.