§ 3. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has yet considered the representations which he has received from the Scottish fishermen's and boat owners' associations and from the Aberdeen Fish Curers and Merchants Association as to the adverse effects on the Scottish fishing industry of the Outer Seven Convention; and if he will state in detail what steps he has taken and proposes to take to protect that industry from those adverse effects.
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Gilmour Leburn)As the hon. and learned Member is aware, my right hon. Friend has replied to the representations which he received from the Shetland Fishermen's Association and the Aberdeen Fish Curers' and Merchants' Association. The tariff reductions for which the Agreement provides do not begin to apply until 1st July and it would be wrong to assume that they will necessarily have any adverse effects on the Scottish fishing industry.
§ Mr. HughesDoes the Minister realise that the fishing industry is one 857 of the largest industries in the country, that it employs thousands of workers, feeds millions of consumers, and yet there is unemployment in it? Will the Minister do what he can to protect the industry from the unfair competition arising from the Outer Seven Convention.
§ Mr. LeburnI am certainly aware of the facts which the hon. and learned Gentleman has mentioned, but I hope that in the event we shall be found to have safeguarded the real interests of the fishing industry.