§ 6. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a comprehensive statement on the dispute arising from the present claims by Faroes fishermen in so far as they affect the British fishing industry, with special relation to Scottish fisheries.
§ Mr. SoamesWe have had no approach from the Danish Government on this matter and I therefore have no statement to make.
§ Mr. HughesWill the Minister realise that the urgency of this matter is emphasised by the shooting up within the last few days by a Danish gunboat of 397 an Aberdeen fishing trawler? Will he realise the urgency before some tragic event occurs? Will he take steps to ensure that this longstanding dispute can be settled by non-violent means without shooting up Aberdeen trawlers, so that outstanding differences can be settled on the basis of law and justice rather than violence?
§ Mr. SoamesIt is the hope of both sides of the House that these questions will be dealt with by peaceful methods. What has happened in this case is an alleged infringement of the existing arrangements by a trawler. It is not a question of a dispute between Governments about fishing limits or anything else, and no approach has been made by the Danish Government to Her Majesty's Government on this matter.