§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they intend to accede to the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and, if so, when.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyThe Government made it clear in 1994 that we intended to accede to UNCLOS and to ratify the Part XI Implementation Agreement after the necessary procedures had been completed. Once Ministers have decided on the timing of our accession, Parliament will be informed.
§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
By what date they have to deposit British ratification papers in New York for them to be able (i) to nominate to the Law of the Sea Tribunal and (ii) to take part in establishing the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyElections for the Law of the Sea Tribunal are due to take place on 1st August 1996. Only states which have deposited Instruments of Accession or Ratification by 30th June 1996 have a right to nominate candidates and to vote in the elections.
Elections for the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf are expected to take place on 3rd March 1997. No formal deadline for accession/ ratification has as yet been agreed in respect of these elections.
§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they intend to adhere to the straddling stocks, etc., agreement that expands the rules set out in principle in UNCLOS.
168WA
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyYes. The United Kingdom signed the United Nations Agreement for the implementation of the provisions of UNCLOS relating to the conservation and management of straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish stocks in respect of certain Dependent Territories, subject to ratification, when the agreement was opened for signature in New York on 4th December 1995.
At the Fisheries Council in Luxembourg on 10th June 1996, it was decided that the European Community would sign the agreement. The way is now open for the United Kingdom to sign the agreement on its own behalf.