Fishing Industry

HC Deb 16 October 1968 vol 770 cc356-8

11. Mr. Wall

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with the fishing industry about the limitation of foreign imports.

Mr. Hoy

The matter has been referred to on several occasions in talks between the industry and my Department. We are fully aware of the industry's views, and it is, I think, equally aware that any limitation has to be considered in the light of our international obligations.

Mr. Wall

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that what is wanted is not a redefinition of the Stockholm Agreement but an end to the dumping of fish on the British market at a price below the cost of production?

Mr. Hoy

Yes, we have that in mind. I shall deal with it further when I answer a later Question regarding the position within E.F.T.A.

Mr. Prior

Is not the Minister aware that the situation is going from bad to worse and that it is no longer good enough to say that talks are proceeding? What is now required is action.

Mr. Hoy

Yes, but any action will be limited by the 1959 Agreement entered into by right hon. and hon. Members opposite. We cannot break the international agreement. However, when I reply to the later Question, I shall deal with what we propose to do.

12. Mr. Wall

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

Mr. Hoy

As my right hon. Friend informed the House on 8th July last, legislation to implement the extended subsidy proposals which he then announced is to be introduced next Session.

Mr. Wall

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that this may be money wasted unless he does something about foreign imports? Second, has the system of efficiency payments now been agreed with the industry?

Mr. Hoy

The negotiations are going on. It is really a matter for the industry. I remind the House that the substantial increase in support has had a warm welcome from the industry itself.

Mr. Lawson

Can my hon. Friend explain why there is such an outcry for Government intervention in this type of protection, when we understood that the party opposite was all against Government intervention?

Mr. Hoy

I think that there are a lot of people who do not want intervention but who want Government money.

Mr. Godber

In relation to the legislation to which the hon. Gentleman referred, will the hon. Gentleman acknowledge that there is need to bring in the legislation to which he referred as early as possible in the new Session? We shall look forward to participating in bringing it to the Statute Book very soon because of the need to clarify the industry's position as a whole.

Mr. Hoy

I hope that it will be early in the new Session, so that we may begin to make payments early in the new year.

Mr. James Johnson

Is my hon. Friend aware that fishermen and merchants also, to my knowledge, think that Her Majesty's Government have given the industry a very good deal here, and they feel that it is now up to owners to put their own house in order with the State money which they are being given?

Mr. Hoy

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for making that point. I am grateful also to the industry for the response which it has made. I hope that, as a result of the reorganisation which is proposed, we shall have a better industry not only for those who are catching but for those also who have to buy and, of course, for the men engaged in the industry.