HC Deb 14 December 1955 vol 547 cc1206-7
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. D. Heathcoat Amory)

After further consideration, it has been decided to withdraw the White Fish subsidy (United Kingdom) No. 2 Scheme, 1955, and to lay a new Scheme forthwith. The effect will be to substitute in the case of white fish landed from inshore vessels of 70 foot and under in length, grants of 8d. in place of 6d. a stone in respect of gutted fish, and of 6d. in place of 4d. a stone in respect of ungutted fish. There will be consequential amendments of the voyage payments for seiners of 70 foot and under in length which become eligible for voyage payments under the Scheme. The new Scheme will be laid today and printed copies will be available in the Vote Office tomorrow morning.

Mr. T. Williams

While welcoming the decision of the right hon. Gentleman to amend his original Scheme, may I ask if he will tell us what representations have been made to him recently that brought about the more generous Scheme he has promised?

Mr. Amory

Yes, reconsideration has taken place in the light of a number of representations that have been received from a number of quarters.

Mr. Duthie

We on this side of the House who represent fishing constituencies will welcome this step towards fair play for this industry, but is my right hon. Friend aware that this concession does not meet the case so clearly made by the Scottish White Fish Producers' Association for at least the retention of the present subsidies, when its representatives saw officials at the Scottish Office on 28th November? I can assure my right hon. Friend that Members on this side who represent fishing constituencies will reconsider the matter in the light of this concession before the Scheme comes for discussion in the House.

Mr. Amory

Of course, all views that hon. Members may wish to put forward we shall have a chance of discussing when the Scheme is debated.

Mr. Edward Evans

Although the right hon. Gentleman has modified his original Scheme, responding to the tremendous pressure that has been exerted upon him from both sides of the House and from the industry, it does very little to alleviate the anxieties of the industry about the subsidy payments. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the biggest bone of contention is that of the stonage payments? Will he have another look at this proposed readjustment and note particularly that in respect of the near and middle waters fishing there is no adjustment whatever of the stonage payments and that that will leave a very grave burden on the industry? I would also ask him to have another look at the stipulation which makes the payment for the vessels of under 70 feet dependent upon their going to sea for eight days before qualifying. They do not remain at sea for eight days.

Mr. Amory

The hon. Gentleman will realise that we have to operate this within the Act of 1953.

Mr. Mitchison

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this Scheme is far from generous, that it means reductions in landing payments in the case of the inshore fishermen and in every other case, and that it will satisfy no one on this side of the House? Will the right hon. Gentleman please tell us when an opportunity will be provided for discussing it, for he has to get, if I am not mistaken, an affirmative Resolution before the end of the calendar year?

Mr. Amory

As to the first part of the hon. and learned Gentleman's question, I think that to keep the matter in perspective I should point out that it is, perhaps, significant that the total estimated cost of this subsidy in the aggregate for the next year will be higher and not lower than the aggregate cost for the past year. As to the second part of the hon. and learned Gentleman's question, I hope that there will be an opportunity of debating this Scheme within the next week.

Mr. Speaker

If that is so, we cannot anticipate the debate now