HC Deb 07 April 1971 vol 815 cc442-4
38. Mr. W. H. K. Baker

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what further representations he has received, from which bodies, and what replies he has sent, concerning the implications of the European Economic Community fisheries policy should the United Kingdom join the Common Market.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

With permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the list of bodies from which my right hon. Friend has received representations on this subject since 13th January. The replies have emphasised the Government's awareness of the problems which could arise and the fact that the United Kingdom position was reserved at the outset of our entry negotiations in June last year.

Mr. Baker

But does not my hon. Friend realise that the Government's reservation of our position is very cold comfort to the fishermen? Can he assure us that before steps are taken to enter the Common Market the Government will give assurances that the fishery limits will be inviolate?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

I remind my hon. Friend that at this stage we are not in any way committed to the common fisheries policy of the Six. I assure him that we shall do everything we can to protect the interests of the inshore fishing industry in Scotland.

Mr. Russell Johnston

Referring to the second part of the Question, will the hon. Gentleman seek to make more widely known precisely what the E.E.C. fishing regulations are, because, as I understand them, even if we adhered to them, we would still be able to prevent trawling within our fishing bank areas?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for raising that point. We are at present studying the effects of the E.E.C. regulations in detail and we shall try to inform the industry as we go along. We have already made a lot of information available to the fishermen's associations and to others who have asked for it.

Mr. Maclennan

Why are the Government taking so long to complete the study? Surely the regulations are perfactly clear and their application is easily understood. What we and the entire fishing industry in Scotland want to know is not that the Government are studying the problem but that they have some solutions to put forward.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

What we are concerned about is the application of the regulations to ourselves and the other applicant countries. That matter requires a great deal of study. The Government reserved their position last June, long before the hon. Gentleman showed any concern for the problems of the inshore fishermen.

Following is the list of bodies making representations to the Secretary of State about the E.E.C. common fisheries policy: