§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are concerned with the implications of acceding to UNCLOS for fishing in the Rockall area; and
Whether the provisions of the convention establishing the Council for the Exploration of the Sea and the Common Fisheries Policy cover fisheries in the Rockall area.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Scottish Office (The Earl of Lindsay)The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea offers advice on the management of fish stocks in Area VIb, within which Rockall is situated. The Common Fisheries Policy covers fisheries in the Rockall area. The Government are well aware of the provisions of UNCLOS and have made it clear to Parliament that they consider that the convention is generally helpful to UK interests.