HC Deb 10 April 1974 vol 872 c405
6. Mr. Donald Stewart

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his policy towards grants for building new fishing boats; and if he will make a statement

Mr. Millan

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given to the right hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Grimond) on 3rd April.—[Vol. 871, c. 380.]

Mr. Stewart

Higher grants are still available to fishermen in Northern Ireland. Will the Minister therefore, without prejudice to any concessions to the Northern Ireland fishermen, take action to end the moratorium on grants for Scottish fishermen, increasing the grants if possible?

Mr. Milian

I cannot say when it will be possible to lift the moratorium which was imposed by the previous Government. The applications already approved are likely to use all the funds in the Estimates submitted to the House.

Mr. Grimond

In the reply to which the Minister referred, in which I was involved, it was said that it was extremely important to keep the fleet modern. That is right, and I trust that the grants will be reintroduced. Will the Minister of State also make a statement about the principles upon which applications for grants are referred to Brussels under the FEOGA scheme?

Mr. Millan

Nothing in the grant scheme so far would be affected by Common Market regulations, but I suppose that any question of assistance to industry is a matter on which the Commission might take a view.

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