§ 12. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what communications he has had with foreign Governments, and which foreign Governments, about the recent fouling of the nets of British fishing vessels by foreign fishing vessels in the fishing grounds off Norway and the Faroes; and if he will state the agreements reached with those Governments for compensation for the damage so caused and also designed to prevent the recurrence of such incidents in future.
§ 13. Lady Tweedsmuirasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has completed his investigations into the incidents involving Soviet and British fishing vessels off the Norwegian coast.
§ Mr. Ian HarveyNo communications have been exchanged with foreign Governments. Claims will be examined in the first instance by the Department of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in respect of English vessels, and of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland in respect of Scottish vessels.
§ Mr. HughesDoes the Minister realise that, in the interests of the fishing industry and the fish-consuming public, he should devise some means of adjusting quickly and in a friendly manner difficulties of this sort when they arise and not in the roundabout way adopted in this instance?
§ Mr. HarveyI would have thought that the way of proceeding which was adopted in this instance was perfectly 180 logical and not at all roundabout. I do not think that the Foreign Office is responsible in this matter.
§ Lady TweedsmuirWill my hon. Friend make representations to the Admiralty that fishery protection vessels should be available at an early date when these incidents occur, as a great deal of anxiety has been caused in connection with this matter? When he answered a Question upon the subject the other day, he was apparently not aware that this ship was already on its way.
§ Mr. HarveyThe Admiralty is quite capable of looking after itself. I am sure that my hon. Friend could address such Questions as these to the appropriate Department. I will, however, have a word with my hon. Friend at the Admiralty with regard to the point she has made.
§ Later—
§ Mr. Hector HughesOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I hope that I am not late in raising this point of order. In view of the very unsatisfactory nature of the reply to Questions Nos. 12 and 13, I wish to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.
§ Mr. SpeakerWe have now passed from that matter.