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Law Of The Sea Conference

Volume 891: debated on Thursday 1 May 1975

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asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make an interim statement on the progress of discussions at Geneva in the United Nations Law of the Sea Conference.

Progress so far has been limited. Her Majesty's Government consider it essential that a determined effort be made by the conference in the time remaining to obtain a greater degree of agreement. I understand that the chairmen of the three main committees are at present preparing unified texts on the subjects allocated to their committees.When I visited Geneva in early April I stressed the urgency of achieving consensus and the dangers that would ensue if practical results were not obtained. I also emphasised that our own approach was flexible. At an early stage we endorsed the growing demand for a 200 mile economic zone. We have also put forward compromise suggestions in relation to revenue sharing in the area between 200 miles and the outer limit of the continental margin; joint ventures in the area beyond national jurisdiction; marine pollution; and passage through straits used for international navigation. We hope these proposals will bear fruit at the Geneva sessions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will pledge Her Majesty's Government not to take any unilateral action on territorial sea limits nor claims by the United Kingdom to any exclusive economic zone over the Continental Shelf, pending international agreement through the UN Law of the Sea Conference.

As I have said on other occasions, it would be inconsistent with the policy of Her Majesty's Government to extend the breadth of our territorial sea or of our fisheries zone contrary to international law.