HC Deb 31 March 1955 vol 539 cc532-4
19 and 20. Mr. Edward Evans

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) whether he is aware of the evidence obtained in connection with the grounding of the French trawler " St. Pierre Eglise " on the Norfolk coast on 13th February when the fishing gear was examined; if he is aware that the nets in use and those stowed were smaller than the regulation size and that there were between 20 and 30 tons of fish, most of which were undersized, aboard; and what action he now proposes to take to see that the terms of the agreement on sizes of mesh used by foreign fishing vessels in British waters are rigorously enforced;

(2) if he is aware of the resentment aroused among British fishermen at the violation of the agreements on sizes of mesh in fishing nets by foreign vessels fishing in the North Sea, instances of which have recently been brought to his notice; and what representations the Government have made to the Belgian and French Governments in this connection.

Mr. Amory

I am aware of and sympathise with the feelings of our fishermen in this matter. Apparent infringements of the International Fisheries Convention of 1946 by foreign fishing vessels entering our waters have been taken up with the fishery authorities of the countries concerned. A difficulty is that vessels fishing for mackerel, herring, shellfish and some other species may properly use nets with a smaller mesh than the Convention prescribes for the capture of the protected species.

I am informed by the French authorities that the " St. Pierre Eglise " was officially authorised to use smaller mesh nets for the North Sea herring fishery and had orders to avoid taking under-sized fish of protected species, whose landing in France is prohibited in accordance with the Convention. The Convention makes each contracting Government responsible for ensuring its observance by their nationals.

Mr. Evans

While thanking the Minister for that long and detailed answer, which in so many respects was thoroughly unsatisfactory—I am quite sure that the right hon. Gentleman has been misled—may I inform him that, to start with, it is not the East Anglian herring season, and that the fish found on board were white fish, which contravened the regulations? Is the Minister aware that only last week a fishing firm was fined at Grimsby for contravening this very restriction? It is quite intolerable that foreigners should come into our waters and use these nets while our own people are mulcted in fines and costs and, when technical infringements are committed on our side, other countries impose punitive fines and the confiscation of nets. It is about time that we took a very strong line.

Mr. Amory

I would call the hon. Member's attention to the last sentence of my answer, that responsibility for ensuring that the rules are adhered to lies with the contracting Governments. I believe that this is a valuable Convention. I agree absolutely with the hon. Member that its value in the future will depend on the degree to which the rules are adhered to by every nationality.

Mr. T. Williams

Would the right hon. Gentleman not agree that, while the Convention is very good in itself, it is fairly useless unless other nationalities observe its provisions? Will the Minister undertake that in cases where the smaller mesh is found to be used in the North Sea, which is bound to cause diminishing returns, he will make representations to the nation concerned?

Mr. Amory

Yes. I agree entirely with what the right hon. Gentleman has said. In every case where there has been an alleged contravention we have taken it up with the country concerned. In some cases, we have not only made representations but have discussed the matter in detail with the country in question.