HC Deb 11 December 1974 vol 883 cc505-6
17. Mr. Douglas Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make a statement on the future of the Scottish herring fishing industry.

Mr. Hugh D. Brown

There are good grounds for taking a confident view of the prospects for the Scottish herring fishing industry. Herring are now more highly valued than in the past, and this is reflected in market prices. In addition, we have been successful in getting international agreements for conservation which safeguard the stocks and our current level of catch.

Mr. Henderson

Is the Minister aware that his optimism is not shared by most of the people who actually catch herring and operate the boats? Is he aware that the quotas being introduced are seriously below the potential capability of the Scottish herring fleet and that, with the increase in costs of oil and other charges which they are encountering at present, the profitability of the fleet is declining seriously?

Mr. Brown

Hon. Members should stop girning and greeting. If there is a lack of confidence in the herring industry, they should not add to it.

Mr. Henderson

indicated dissent.

Mr. Brown

The hon. Member can shake his head if he likes, but the facts suggest to me that there is every reason to be confident about the future of the herring industry, although I confess that the operation of a quota system which is provided in the best interests of the industry is difficult to understand for hon. Members who do not want to understand it.

18. Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what new measures he proposes to help the Scottish fishing industry in its present difficulties.

Mr. Hugh D. Brown

We are examining a request by the Scottish Trawlers' Federation for subsidy, based on a statement of costs and earnings. Until we have evaluated this I cannot say whether new measures are required.

Mr. Sproat

I appreciate what the Minister said, but does he not accept that the combination of the increased building costs and operating costs— especially fuel costs—and lower fish prices and quota restrictions, is posing unprecedented problems to the fishing industry? Does he accept that the industry now needs proper financial support in the form of subsidy in order to protect employment in this vital activity?

Mr. Brown

I recognise that there is a serious problem here, and so does my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture. The question of a subsidy raises complex issues going wider than the trawling sectors concerned, which is why I said that the study would take some time. We are well aware of the additional burdens that increased fuel costs have imposed upon the industry, and it is because of the evaluation that we are making that we need time to consider in what way we can best help.