60 
In the House, most of the resolutions relating to this issue were 
referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and assigned to the 
Subcommittee on International Organizations and Movements. Hear- 
ings were held in September and October 1967 and jointly with the 
Subcommittee on Oceanography of the House Committee on Merchant 
Marine and Fisheries in June and July 1968.? Senate hearings were 
held by the Committee on Foreign Relations.* There was generally 
more support for the Malta proposal in the Senate than in the House. 
Opposition to U.N. action at this time arose from concern that 
seabed resources were too poorly known and the United States might 
be denying itself valuable assets. Delay was suggested pending the 
resolution of the entire question of the limits of national jurisdiction. 
In addition, some doubt was expressed whether the United Nations 
could effectively administer the vast area of the ocean floor. 
Supporters suggested that the Malta proposal would lead to con- 
servation of mineral resources, avoidance of possible conflicts arising 
from a wild scramble to claim and exploit the seabed, controls on 
marine pollution, reduced threat of military use of the seabed, inde- 
pendent income for the United Nations, and a general strengthening 
and maturity in the United Nations through experience gained in 
administering the ocean floor. 
LEGISLATIVE CONCERN IN THE 91st CONGRESS 
Several committees in the 91st Congress examined issues related to 
the limits of the continental shelf and jurisdiction of the seabed 
resources beyond the shelf. The Senate Foreign Relations Subcom- 
mittee on Ocean Space, chaired by Senator Clairborne Pell, heard 
testimony on S. Res. 33. This Resolution, submitted by Senator Pell, 
proposed a set of basic principles governing activities of states in. 
developing and exploiting the ocean space. The principles called for 
the use of the seabed and subsoil for peaceful purposes only, under 
licenses issued by authority of the United Nations; regulations on the 
disposal of radioactive waste material in the ocean; the establishment 
of a Sea Guard under the control of the U.N. Security Council; and 
a definition of the limits of the continental shelves. 
Hearings were also held by the Special Study on United Nations 
Suboceanic Lands Policy of the Senate Committee on Commerce. This 
study group, chaired by Senator Ernest F. Hollings, was formed in 
July 1969 to consider “the policy which the United States should 
advocate within the United Nations when that organization considers 
the ground rules which should apply to those nations which desire to 
exploit the resources of the deep oceans.” # 
A third set of hearings was held by the Special Subcommittee on 
Outer Continental Shelf created by Senator Henry M. Jackson, chair- 
2U.S. Congress. House. Committee on Foreign Affairs. The United Nations and the issue 
of deep ocean resources ; interim report together with hearings. Held by the Subcommittee 
on International Organizations and Movements of the Committee on Foreign Affairs on 
H.J. Res. 816 and companion resolutions, Sept. 22, Oct. 10, 19, 25, and 31, 1967. 90th Cong., 
1st sess., H. Rept. No. 999, Washington, D.C., U.S. Govt. Print. Off., 1967. 289 p. 
2U.S. Congress. Senate. Committee on Foreign Relations. Governing the use of ocean 
space. Hearings on S.J. Res. 111, S. Res. 172, and S. Res. 196. Held Nov. 29, 1967. 90th 
Cong., 1st sess., Washington, D.C., U.S. Govt. Print Off., 1967, 71 p. 
£U.S. Congress. Senate. Committee on Commerce. Special Study on United Nations Sub- 
oceanic Lands Policy. Hearings held Sept. 23, 24, Oct. 3, and Nov. 21, 1969. 91st Cong., 
1st sess., Washington, D.C., U.S. Govt. Print. Off., 1970. 
