asked the Minister for Trade how many and which States have either passed laws or have draft proposals entitling their nationals through licensing to search for and exploit sea bed minerals.

I have been asked to reply.Five States, the United States of America, the Federal Republic of Germany, France, the USSR and the United Kingdom have passed laws to establish licensing arrangements for exploration for, and production of, minerals from the sea bed beyond the limits of national jurisdiction. No other countries have published draft proposals but I understand that Italy and Belgium, at least, may also be considering the introduction of similar laws.