BY BAG
CONFIDENTIAL
MBE_1732
까
A
RECONED IN
15.JUN1981
39
FR FCO
RESTRICTED
DESK INDEX
MA
TO CERTAIN MISSIONS AND DEPENDENT TERRITORIES
GUIDANCE TELNO 73 OF 11 JUNE 1981
23/1 | vec. 2
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See (127
(30)
EXTENSION OF THE UK TERRITORIAL SEA TO 12 MILES
1. The Government will announce on 12 June by means of a Written PQ their intention to introduce legislation to extend the UK territoriál sea from its present breadth of 3 nautical miles to 12 nautical miles. It is unlikely that this will be regarded as a contentious move. Those states most closely concerned have been given advance warning of the announcement. The following is for use should the subject be raised
with you.
LINE TO TAKE (DEFENSIVE ONLY)
24
2.5
2.
Over 110 states have now extended their territorial seas beyond 3 miles, the large majority to 12 miles. 12 miles would be in accordance with UN Law of the Sea Conference (UNLOSC) proposals. Meanwhile environmentalist pressure in the UK, motivated by concern about, marine oil pollution incidents, has urged that the Government consider an extension to 12 miles in order to extend the scope of our powers over shipping round the British isles and thereby help combat the ever-increasing risk of a disaster. The purpose of the announcement now is to give a positive indication of the Government's intentions The legislation is unlikely to be introduced before November 1982: its preparation will certainly take account of the results emerging from UNLOSC.
ADDITIONAL POINTS (TO BE DRAWN ON FREELY)
3. HMG remain fully committed to the successful conclusion of an acceptable Law of the Sea Convention. We hope that outstanding matters in the conference can be satisfactorily resolved. (If pressed whether legislation will be introduced before UNLOSC is concluded) This possibility is not excluded. However no definite decision on timing of the legislation has yet been taken and the legislation itself will be prepared in the light of results emerging
from UNLOSC.
A.
Our existing powers in the territorial sea will not be increased, but the geographical area covered by those powers will be extended to 12 miles. This will enable us to exercise better control of marine pollution by extending powers over incidents threatening major pollution, and over foreign vessels contravening oil pollution regulations or traffic separation schemes if they enter a UK port.
coped to Mr Alston, UKDCL
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