HC Deb 03 July 1975 vol 894 cc1651-2
2. Mr. Brittan

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has put to the EEC Commission for the reorganisation of the common fishing policy.

The Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Edward Bishop)

We have gained the agreement of the Council of Ministers to a reappraisal of the common fisheries policy. At this stage it would be premature for me to say more.

Mr. Brittan

Does the Minister realise that it would be most helpful if we could have some idea of the lines on which the Government hope that the policy will be reorganised? Does he accept that we ought to know when it will be reorganized, because there is considerable anxiety among inshore fishermen about what will happen after 1982, when the present arrangements end?

Mr. Bishop

I appreciate the hon. Member's anxiety, and as I have toured a number of fishing ports, I am well aware of the concern there. Our fishing industry is the largest in the Community and we have stressed this to our partners. We shall have to consider this matter in the light of possible changes in the international fisheries régime. With regard to the hon. Member's second point, there is provision for a review to take place by 1982. My right hon. Friend has made clear in Brussels and elsewhere that we want changes before then and would expect a review much earlier.

Mr. James Johnson

Does the Minister not accept that the EEC policy was chipped, chiselled and planned for six Continental countries before the accession of ourselves and Ireland? Is he aware that the House is united on this matter—hon. Members from all the fishing ports are in agreement—and wants him to fight consistently and fiercely at the earliest possible moment for changes to be made?

Mr. Bishop

I think that my hon. Friend will be aware of the visits that my right hon. Friend and I have made to the fishing areas. We have made clear time and time again that we have not waited for 1982. Already my right hon. Friend has succeeded in obtaining Community agreement on a package of measures including export refunds, storage aids and minimum entry prices. These steps will help the competitive position of our market, but we recognise that other measures will have to be taken into account most urgently.

Mr. Beith

Did the Minister note, as a result of his visit to the Northumberland fishing ports, that only a six-mile limit was granted to the area in the previous negotiations? It is important to retain a reserved area for fishermen in this country, and there should not be discrimination against areas like North Northumberland, as happened under the previous policy.

Mr. Bishop

An aim of the Government is to protect the interests of inshore fishermen in all these discussions. Our visits have been most helpful in allowing us to realise even more the situation which must be taken into account in Brussels.