HC Deb 04 February 1953 vol 510 cc1815-9
8. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that the Icelandic Government have referred their fisheries dispute with Britain to the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation for decision; that this will involve delay; that, in the meantime, private interests are preventing the unloading of ships, thereby depriving British consumers of necessary fish food at a reasonable price; and what steps the Government proposes to ensure that the consumers get the fish food they require at a reasonable price.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Anthony Nutting)

As regard the first part of the Question, the hon. and learned Member is misinformed. The Icelandic Government did not refer this dispute to the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation for a decision. With regard to the last part of the Question, I understand that the prices of white fish at the major ports for the month of January were, in fact, lower than for the same period last year. For an account of the present position I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Tynemouth (Miss Ward) on 28th January.

Mr. Hughes

Is the Minister aware that this dispute is breeding bad blood between Iceland and Britain to such an extent that Reykjavik ship repairers are refusing to repair Scottish trawlers which put in there for that purpose? Surely he can do something to expedite this urgent matter?

Mr. Nutting

As regards repairs of trawlers there is a Question on that subject lower down on the Order Paper, so perhaps the hon. and learned Gentleman will await the answer—

Mr. Hughes

It may not be reached.

Mr. Nutting

As regards expediting a solution of this matter, I saw the Icelandic Minister this morning and asked him if possible to hasten a reply from his Government.

Mr. Law

May I ask my hon. Friend the Joint Under-Secretary whether he is aware that among the private interests referred to in the Question are the brave men who take their ships to Arctic waters in very dangerous conditions, for whom the danger has been greatly increased by the action of the Icelandic Government? May I further ask my hon. Friend whether he is aware that if the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes) were to accompany me to my constituency, he would receive an even warmer welcome than he is accustomed to in his own.

Mr. Nutting

In answer to my right hon. Friend, so far as the denial of repair facilities is concerned, I am satisfied that this has nothing to do with the Icelandic authorities, but so far as the restrictions are concerned, they have of course imposed additional dangers and difficulties for British trawlers.

Mr. Hughes

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. May I ask whether the supplementary question of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Law) is to be construed as a threat to me? If so, does it not indicate to the Minister the urgency of my supplementary question?

Mr. Speaker

I heard the question, but all I heard promised in it was a warm welcome.

Mr. Younger

Will the hon. Gentleman guard against accepting too simple a view of this matter of supplies and prices? Whilst accepting that prices have not been unduly high, may I ask him whether he is aware that there are many important interests in the trade who feel that this is largely because the supplies now coming in are of a different type and quality and variety from what they would be if we had this Iceland fish?

Mr. Nutting

I had better be careful in answering questions on prices of fish which, as the right hon. Gentleman knows, are not ones for my Department. The facts as I have stated them are correct, however.

Mrs. Braddock

Is the Minister aware that my interest in this matter is that of the ordinary housewife, and that she is grumbling about the price and the quality of the fish she is offered? Is he also aware that the Trawler Owners' Association have threatened fish merchants in various parts of the country that if they buy any of the fish that may be landed from Icelandic trawlers, in future they will not be permitted to buy fish that is landed by other trawlers? What action, in view of that situation, is he and his Department and the other Departments concerned prepared to take with reference to it?

Mr. Nutting

It is in view of all these considerations that Her Majesty's Government are still doing their utmost to hasten a decision and a settlement.

38. Lady Tweedsmuir

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Aberdeen trawler "Viking Alliance" was refused repair facilities at Reykjavik on 30th January owing to the Icelandic fishing dispute: and whether he will make representations to the Icelandic Government that the granting of such facilities should not become involved in a dispute on overfishing rights.

Mr. Nutting

I understand that this trawler was eventually able to repair her damage from her own resources and has now returned to the fishing grounds. Nevertheless, I have seen the Icelandic Minister and have made representations to him in the sense suggested by my hon. Friend.

Lady Tweedsmuir

Can my hon. Friend therefore say that the Icelandic Government have now agreed that in future they will not under any circumstances refuse repair facilities to our trawlers?

Mr. Nutting

In this case, and I understand on the question of repairs to trawlers, the Icelandic authorities, as such, are not involved, and I would assure the House that the Icelandic Government would certainly feel that no action should be taken which would in any way injure the lives of seamen or the fate of ships.

Mr. Younger

While agreeing with the policy which the hon. Gentleman has told us he is pursuing, may I ask him if he is aware that this is one of the reprisals, if one may so call it, which was foreseen both by the British trawler owners and the Government as long ago as two years, when they were considering what would be the result if war started between the two industries. This is not something which was unexpected—the trawler owners were expecting it.

Mr. Nutting

That may be so, but nevertheless I think the House will agree that the refusal of repair facilities in this case is not a legitimate weapon in a trade dispute.

Mr. Foot

Would it not assist in trying to prevent unfortunate incidents of this character if Her Majesty's Government, pending the result of the negotiations with the Icelandic Government, would take steps in this country to ensure that Icelandic fish can be landed despite the boycott which is going on?