Fishing Industry (Government Assistance) (Hansard, 26 June 1968)

§ 9. Mr. Stodart
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he proposes to take in order to protect the fishing industry from under- 422 cutting by foreign countries by means of subsidies.

§ 11 and 12. Mr. Wall
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will make a statement on his discussions with the fishing industry for replacing the present system of subsidies;
(2) if he will make a statement about his proposals for helping the fishing industry in their present difficulties, and state what discussions he has had about foreign landings of fresh fish and frozen fillets in this country.

§ 46. Mr. James Johnson
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now make a statement regarding Government assistance to the fishing industry.

§ Mr. Hoy
I would refer the hon. Members to theAnswers given on 19th June, 1968, to the hon. Member for Lowestoft (Mr. Prior).—[Vol. 766, c. 140.]

§ Mr. Stodart
Is the hon. Gentleman aware that that is one of the most callously indifferent Answers which he has given for a long time? Is he aware that the industry's plight is very much more serious than it was even a month ago, in May, when we debated this matter, and that it is relying on him personally to fulfil the pledge—part of which, as he will recognise, is contained in this Question—which he himself gave quite categorically a year ago?

§ Mr. Hoy
Indeed, and I would not go back on it. Unlike the party which was in Government when the hon. Gentleman was a responsible Minister, I fully appreciate the industry's difficulties. I hope that, very soon, in addition to what I have already said—certainly before the House rises—we shall make a statement.

§ Mr. Wall
Does the hon. Gentleman appreciate that, unless he acts quickly, he will not have an industry to run? Is it possible to negotiate to prevent the present dumping by some form of subsidy or quota system? If not, are the Government prepared to foot the bill with bigger subsidies?

§ Mr. Hoy
The industry's present position is the direct result of the policy for which hon. Gentlemen opposite were responsible—[An HON. MEMBER: "Change 423 it."] We have changed it. I have announced that we are not going to continue the policy which the party opposite introduced. Second, in a fuller consideration of this matter, we shall, for the very first time, consider the fish imports, which has never been done before by any Government.

§ Mr. Johnson
Is my hon. Friend aware of the intense feeling in the Humberside ports about the present position, particularly in view of the disastrous day we had only last Monday as a result of the landings of fish? Would he agree that, for the first time, all sections of the industry —unions, employers and all others concerned—are united in asking that we be given some aid now at this difficult time in our affairs? Will he kindly be a little more forthcoming and give an indication when we might expect the statement to which he referred?

§ Mr. Hoy
I can only add, in reply to my hon. Friend, that we hope to produce the statement in the near future. [HON MEMBERS: "When?"] I said that the House would not rise for the Summer Recess before it had been made. My hon. Friend knows as well as I do that the industry has been in this position before and that for a considerable time certain parts of the industry have resented any Government interference.

§ Mr. Godber
Is the hon. Gentleman aware that his comments are wholly inadequate to meet the situation? Is he also aware that it is not good enough for him to rest on the previous position? Will he now acknowledge that there has been a complete change in the import position in the last two years and that it is the duty of the Government to safeguard the industry from annihilation?

§ Mr. Hoy
It was because I realised the differences and because I appreciated that we could not rely on the policies initiated by right hon. and hon. Gentlemen opposite that I gave an intimation only a week or two ago about the changes that would take place. We are now working out, with the industry, the details of those changes, and I hope that, as a result, the industry will at long last be placed on a sound basis; something which was never done when the previous agreements were negotiated.

§ Mr. McNamara
Is my hon. Friend aware that a statement from him about limiting imports would be extremely welcome on all sides of the House? Is he further aware that while the leaders of the industry have in the past squealed about Government interference and have not wanted it, there is now need for Government action in view of the poor wages which the men have been getting, particularly in the past week or two, and that real concern should be directed to those who work in the industry?

§ Mr. Hoy
I appreciate that what is happening affects the industry as a whole. It is obvious that the British fishing industry can play a considerably important part in the economy. I also appreciate that in certain areas there is no alternative employment for those who work in it. I realise all these things. That is why I accept that, while the position must be improved for the employers, we must, at the same time, try to provide fish at reasonable prices for the consumer —a not unimportant consideration—and see that the conditions of those who work in the industry are also improved.

Mr. W. H. K. Baker
Is the Minister aware that the Annual Report of the White Fish Authority, published today, implies that some of the decline in the profitability of the industry has been due to increased imports?

§ Mr. Hoy
I thought that I had replied to that question. I said that when we were considering the policy, we would obviously consider it as a whole. That cannot be done unless we give consideration to what has gone on for so many years; and that is the free importation of this commodity into this country.

§ Mr. Clegg
Is the hon. Gentleman giving a categoric assurance that action will be taken on imports before the end of this Session?

§ Mr. Hoy
No. I said—and my words must not be misconstrued—that we would be making a statement about assistance for the industry before the Summer Recess. I added that, in the process of considering the matter, we would obviously have to take into consideration the part that imports have played in the economy of the industry.

§ Mr. Prior
Is the Minister aware that it is not good enough for him to keep jogging back over four years, since he has besn the Minister responsible for four years? Is he aware that the industry cannot wait any longer, particularly since We read in the newspapers that Norway is supplying £12 million for its fishing industry this year? What do Her Majesty's Government intend to do for the British industry?

§ Mr. Hoy
We, too, are supplying many millions of £s for our fishing industry. [Interruption.] That is true. We are supplying more than ever before. It is all very well for hon. Gentlemen opposite to say that what is being done is not enough, but they must remember that every lime we ask for a little more money, they complain about increases in taxation or increases in the Civil Service. We must do the best for the industry that we can do. It is true that other countries carry subsidies. So do we. It is sometimes difficult to judge how much those other countries give. All that I can say at this point is that we have determined that in this review the industry will be put on a sound footing so that it can compete with is competitors on equal terms.

§ Mr. Prior
On a point of order. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's replies, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.