Jersey

Petitions – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 7 August 1972.

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Photo of Mr Alf Morris Mr Alf Morris , Manchester Wythenshawe 12:00, 7 August 1972

With your permission, Mr. Speaker, and that of the House, I beg leave to present two Petitions. The first bears the signatures of people from every walk of life in the island of Jersey, from manual workers to company directors and from housewives to horticulturists. The second Petition is from Jersey fishermen. Each of the Petitions speaks of the serious effects for the islanders of Jersey if the United Kingdom enters the EEC on the terms negotiated. The two Petitions have widespread support from Jersey.

I am informed that the House has not received a Petition from the Channel Islands for more than a century. The Petitions are therefore of historic importance.

The first Petition Showeth that serious difficulties are likely to be encountered by the people of Jersey, arising out of the United Kingdom's proposed entry into the EEC…and that whereas the Island Government, by majority vote, did In December, 1971, approve of the special terms and arrangements…for the Channel Islands, such decision was taken without the Island being given a fair opportunity of considering the full implications of the said terms. The fear is expressed that Jersey's economic and social position would be endangered as a result of the United Kingdom's inability to recognise fully Jersey's ancient constitutional rights, arising from its most ancient bonds with the Sovereign.…The Islanders are extremely fearful that the terms …would be repugnant to Jersey's constitutional practice. …Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your Honourable House will urge Her Majesty's Government to seriously reconsider the advisability of taking the final step into the EEC. Jersey is mindful of the serious effect that such a decision is bound to have on the constitutional bonds which have existed from time immemorial with Jersey and the other Channel Islands, as also with member States of the Commonwealth. The second Petition Sheweth that after 1st January, 1973, there will be no protected fishing limits at all for the Island due to the fact that whilst some provisions were negotiated…for the fishermen of the United Kingdom at Brussels, no provisions were made or negotiated for the fishermen of the Channel Islands at all, due to an oversight of the negotiators at the time, and that whilst at present the Island has a very unsatisfactory limit of protection of three miles only around the shores of the mainland of Jersey and only 150 yards on its outer reefs and islets, after the United Kingdom's proposed entry to the EEC Jersey…will have no provision in those terms for its fishing industry or its fishermen's future livelihoods.It is therefore essential that some form of protected limits be established for the Island of Jersey which will exclude the EEC fishermen from these proposed established area protected limits. The fishermen therefore suggest that an all-round limit or protected area of a minimum of six miles from low water be laid down and be negotiated for with the EEC.Wherefore your petitioners pray that immediate steps to protect the Channel Island's fishing rights be established by your Honourable House forthwith.To lie upon the Table.