§ 1. Sir J. Gilmourasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of the catch of fish caught off Iceland in the area between the 12-mile limit and Iceland's unilateral 50-mile limit is landed in Scottish ports.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Home Affairs and Agriculture, Scottish Office (Mr. Alick Buchanan-Smith)In 1971 about 4 per cent. by weight of the United Kingdom catch taken in Icelandic waters was landed in Scotland.
§ Sir J. GilmourWould my hon. Friend agree that, while one should not minimise the danger to the fishing interests of this country from the action of Iceland, that answer underlines the importance to Scotland of the inshore fishing industry? In all his negotiations in Brussels, will he keep this very much in mind?
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithThe inshore fishing industries are of vital importance not only to the economy of Scotland as a whole but also to those places where they are particularly active and represent a real force for development.
§ Mr. GrimondWould the hon. Gentleman agree that the real danger of the Icelandic limits is that they will divert fishing from those waters to waters outside the existing limits, around Orkney and Shetland? Has he any indication that there has been more trawling in those waters than previously? If he does not have that information now, will he guarantee to keep a close eye on the situation?
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithI take the right hon. Gentleman's point. Not only in our nearer waters but in other waters such as around the Faroes where the Scottish mid-water fleet fishes, the situation could be serious. We will keep an eye on this; I take the point about monitoring what happens there.