§ Mr. GummerTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will urge Argentina to ratify the High-Seas Fishing Agreement. [3153]
§ Mr. Tony LloydI assume the right hon. Member is referring to the UN Agreement on Straddling Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks. The United Kingdom and Argentina regularly discuss their international responsibilities for the conservation of fish stocks at meetings of the South Atlantic Fisheries Commission. The United Kingdom hopes that Argentina will ratify the Convention in the near future.
§ Mr. GummerTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with which nations the UK proposes to enter into regional fisheries organisations under the High-Seas Fishing agreement. [3152]
§ Mr. LloydI assume the right hon. Member is referring to the UN Agreement on Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks. The UK already participates in a number of regional fisheries organisations, including the North West Atlantic Fisheries Organisation and the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission. The UK is currently participating in talks aimed at establishing regional fisheries organisations for the South West Atlantic and the South East Atlantic.
§ Mr. GummerTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he estimates the UK will ratify the High-Sea Fishing Agreement. [3157]
§ Mr. LloydI assume the right hon. Member is referring to the UN Agreement on Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks which the UK signed last year. We intend that the UK should ratify this agreement when the necessary procedures have been completed.