HC Deb 23 January 1963 vol 670 cc59-60
11. Mr. Lipton

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what arrangements he has made to date in the Common Market negotiations for the protecting of British fishing interests generally, and inshore fishing in particular.

Mr. Soames

Fisheries are to be the subject of a common policy which has not yet been formulated by the Community. We have made known to them OUT views on this.

Mr. Lipton

Is the right hom. Gentleman aware that Dr. Mansholt, the Vice-President of the European Economic Community, who is specially responsible for fisheries problems, said that for the members of the Community territorial waters and fishing zones can no longer exist. What action is the night hon. Gentleman taking to protect the interests of inshore fishermen in British territorial waters?

Mr. Soames

Without seeing the context in which that remark was made I could not comment on it. Further, I do not understand it, because at the moment there is no common fisheries policy. It has not yet been drawn up by the Community, and so the words which the hon. Gentleman has read could not apply at the present time.

Mr. Wall

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that Britain's entry into the E.E.C. would entail negotiating common fishery limits under the Treaty of Rome? Would not he also agree that if our entry into the Common Market is to be delayed he should give serious consideration to extending the three-mile limit which is bearing very hardly on inshore fishermen?

Mr. Soames

Of course, it would entail negotiation between the present members of the Community let alone the additional members, before formulating a common fishing policy. As to the extent of limits outside the context of the Common Market, this goes wider than the Question, but, as my hon. Friend knows, the question of limits is constantly being kept under review as the circumstances change.

Mr. Hoy

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware how important this industry is even to the very small communities throughout the land? Certainly in Scotland it is extremely important that their interests should be safeguarded, because their very livelihood depends on it. May we have an assurance that any settlement which is effected will be satisfactory to our home industry, and that it will not be presented with a fait accompliafter some agreement has been reached with regard to the rest of the negotiations that are taking place?

Mr. Soames

Our position with regard to a common fisheries policy is bound to be left open and in no way closed if these negotiations are brought to a conclusion in a reasonable time. There is as yet no common fisheries policy and there would not be a timetable drawn up until after the conclusion of the negotiations.