HC Deb 24 January 1968 vol 757 cc397-400
11. Mr. Wall

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the review of the fishing industry.

Mr. Hoy

We are considering the outcome of the review and we will make a statement as soon as possible.

Mr. Wall

The hon. Gentleman will recall that undertakings were given that this review, which was started three years ago, would be completed by the end of last year. Could he say whether, when it is completed, it will be published as a White Paper or in some other form?

Mr. Hoy

It is true that there has been some little delay. Devaluation plays a part in it. I cannot anticipate when the statement will be made. As the hon. Gentleman knows, a Departmental inquiry took place. I should not like to say anything about publication. I give him the assurance that the statement will be made as soon as possible.

Mr. Hector Hughes

In the forthcoming review, will my hon. Friend have regard to the fact that two matters which urgently require attention are, first, difficulties in transporting fish from North-East Scotland to the large consuming centres of the South, and, secondly, protection of the North Sea fishing fleets from foreign marauders?

Mr. Hoy

Obviously, transport charges are always important in this and every other industry and must be considered. [HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."] I am grateful for hon. Members' agreement. Secondly, we take action to protect our home-based fishing fleet. My hon. and learned Friend can be assured that action necessary to protect our fishermen is being taken.

12. Mr. Wall

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures he is taking to assist the fishing industry in its present difficulties.

Mr. Hoy

We hope to announce shortly the special subsidies payable for the six months commencing on 1st February.

Mr. Wall

Why has the Minister not used the supplementary grants, which he has under his own hand, to help the fishing industry in the very difficult period it has experienced in recent months?

Mr. Hoy

As the hon. Gentleman knows, we have paid out some, and about £350,000 is still left. It is always a question of how it shall be apportioned; sometimes the industry does not agree how it should be done. But we hope to make a decision very soon.

Mr. James Johnson

Will my hon. Friend accept that the inshore fishing fleet has had a good year, but that we feel that the deep sea fishing fleet has had a bad year? That goes for vessel owners and men—deck hands—alike. Would he please pay attention to that and look more frequently at the question of the future of the deep sea fishing industry?

Mr. Hoy

That has been looked at in connection with the review. We are well aware that the deep water fleet has not had a good year, and we take that into account when we consider what share the industry will get of the moneys which are still available.

Mr. Prior

Is the Minister aware that morale in the industry is very low at present and that an urgent statement of Government policy is what the industry needs?

Mr. Hoy

I do not think that we should exaggerate. I know that certain portions of the fleet are not in good condition. Certainly the deep water fleet has had a difficult time, but we must consider this against the background of the previous legislation, which ruled that all subsidies would run out by 1972. We must consider the whole problem. Our decision might involve changes, and it must be reached carefully.

Mr. McNamara

In considering the supplementary subsidy will my hon. Friend look closely at the deep water fleet? In Hull at present 496 deep sea fishermen are unemployed, and even allowing for seasonal factors and over-Christmas cruises that is far too high.

Mr. Hoy

Yes, indeed. I think so too, and that is exactly what we are looking at. It is sometimes a little troublesome when very large firms are involved, but in particular sectors of the industry in which they operate they can be in trouble, and this is what we are looking at.

Mr. Baker

Does the Minister agree that his assertion that the inshore fishing fleet had a good year is a relative matter, and is not entirely the case throughout the country? Unless more visible help is given to the inshore industry it will become increasingly difficult to recruit young people into the fishing fleet.

Mr. Hoy

The hon. Gentleman is mistaken. I did not say that the inshore fleet had a good year. It was my hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull, West (Mr. James Johnson) who said that. But on the whole the inshore fleet has had a fairly good year. [Interruption.] I do not mind saying it. All I said was that it was asserted that I had said it earlier, when I had not. I realise that there are difficulties in all parts, and I want to look at them.