HC Deb 03 July 1975 vol 894 cc1665-6
14. Mr. Clegg

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the outcome of the fishing quotas agreed at the recent meeting of the North Atlantic Fisheries Commission, indicating whether he is satisfied with the outcome; and if he intends to ratify the agreement.

43. Mr. Henderson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on conservation of fish stocks.

Mr. Bishop

The stocks of greatest importance to our industry are heavily fished by several countries. The Government believe that effective conservation must depend upon measures agreed internationally between them. The means for achieving agreement is the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission, of which all North European fishing nations are members. At its recent meeting, the Commission agreed on a number of important steps, including quota reductions for plaice and herring in the North Sea, and for herring to the West of Scotland. This will involve sacrifices for our industry which, as the Government are well aware, already faces considerable difficulties. Nevertheless, I believe that the measures agreed—which also involve sacrifices for the other States concerned—are essential to secure the industry's future.

Mr. Clegg

It was not easy to hear what the Minister said. Will he ensure that other countries as well as ourselves observe these agreements? Is he aware that officials of his Department are very good at seeing that the agreements are observed in this country? Will he please ensure that they are observed elsewhere so that we are all on an equal footing?

Mr. Bishop

This matter was discussed when I visited Fleetwood recently. There is a common feeling amongst fishermen of all countries that the fishermen of other countries do not observe their quotas. However, this is a matter for national Governments. My Department is very much in touch with the situation locally around our coasts, and with other members of the Commission.

Mr. Henderson

The Minister said that the fishing industry will have to make sacrifices. Is he aware that the Scottish fishermen have already suffered a reduction of 25 per cent. in the value of their landings for the first five months of this year? Will he tell us when the Government will take action on this matter, instead of the endless discussions, promises, and debates?

Mr. Bishop

There are two points here. The first is the quota, which is a matter of reduction for all members of the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission. The question of catching more fish is bound up with the question of limits. Those matters are now being considered in the discussions in the Law of the Sea Conference and on the common fisheries policy.

Mr. James Johnson

Is the Minister aware of the anxiety not only of the Opposition and of hon. Members representing constituencies north of the Tweed, but also of hon. Members representing constituencies in England? Why is it that we have come off so badly in the quota system? Are the quotas determined on a percentage of last year's catch, or of catches in former years? Britain is the major fishing nation—Scotland is the major herring fishing nation—of Western Europe, yet we have come off badly in the matter of quotas. I understand that less than 40,000 tons of herring is allotted to us. Why is that?

Mr. Bishop

The quotas are based on scientific evidence as well as on the catches over the previous 10 years. The quota reduction for us in some cases is much less than those of other countries. The management of quotas is being discussed with the industry at present.