§ 18. Mr. Wolrige-Gordonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has decided on the regulations to govern fishing within the six mile limit round the Scottish coast under the draft Convention drawn up at the second session of the European Fisheries Conference; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NobleI can add nothing at this stage to the statement made to the House on 20th January, 1964, by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture Fisheries and Food about the draft Convention, which will be further considered 354 when the European Fisheries Conference resumes on 26th February.
§ Mr. Wolrige-GordonIs my right hon. Friend aware that this proposed extension of the limits, small as it is, could mark a definite improvement in the fortunes of the Scottish inshore fishing fleet? Can he say how soon this draft Convention can be brought into force? When he is considering the necessary regulations, will he pay particular attention to the need for the conservation and development of our own natural fishery resources?
§ Mr. NobleAs I have told my hon. Friend, the Conference resumes on 26th February. I cannot forecast how quickly after that we may be able to move. It depends how the Conference goes. But the Conference is also very much interested in the other problems that my hon. Friend mentioned.
§ Mr. HoyWill the right hon. Gentleman also take into consideration what consequential effects any of these conferences may have on the middle-water and distant-water fleets, which are not very enthusiastic about what has been achieved up to date?