asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals are being made by the United Kingdom within the United Nations Law of the Sea Conference to reconcile conflicting views about the constitution, powers, and responsibilities of the suggested International Seabed Authority.

The United Kingdom delegation will continue at the United Nations Law of the Sea Conference its efforts to find internationally acceptable arrangements for the proposed International Seabed Authority. The delegation would put forward proposals before and at the next session, beginning in March, if these seemed likely in the circumstances of the conference to lead to progress towards a generally acceptable convention.