§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they intend to ratify the UN Law of the Sea Convention in time to take part in the next tranche of nominations to positions in the institutions set up under the convention.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyNominations for the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf are due to close on 5th February 1997. We are unlikely to have acceded to the UN Law of the Sea Convention in time to nominate a candidate for the Commission. We consider that the long-term interests of the UK will be best served by accession to UNCLOS. Parliament will be told as soon as a decision has been taken.