Common Fishing Policy

HC Deb 22 May 1975 vol 892 cc1607-8

23. Mr. Costain

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is in a position to announce the proposals which he will advance to the European Economic Commission on the new common fishing policy at present under discussion.

Mr. Peart

No. I made a full report of the statement I made to the EEC Council of Ministers on fisheries matters on 15th April and to add to that at this stage would be premature.

Mr. Costain

We much appreciate the visits which the Minister and the Minister of State have made to fisheries in various constituencies, but is the right hon. Gentleman aware that our greatest concern is to achieve proper conservation provisions to protect our coastal and other waters?

Mr. Peart

I agree. Conservation is important. I recognise that there has been a threat to the herring industry because of too much industrial fishing. Only yesterday the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission commenced work in London, and this matter will be discussed at that conference. We have to get agreement on this, and I have already had talks in the Community about it with individual Ministers.

Mr. McNamara

What progress is my right hon. Friend making with the continuation of the subsidy to the fishing industry? Numerous vessels are laid up and, although the fish may be there, we may not have the vessels to catch them.

Mr. Peart

This matter was raised yesterday. I wish that my hon. Friend could have attended the Standing Committee. I have introduced a scheme which gives £6¼ million to the trawler fishing industry.

Mr. Grimond

I am grateful to the Minister for the trouble he has taken in talking to our Common Market colleagues about this matter, but will it be possible for him to arrange regular meetings with the industry so that it can be informed about the progress of the negotiations, as it is worried about timing?

Mr. Peart

I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for what he said. I should welcome meetings with the fishing industry. Representatives of the British Trawler Owners' Federation come to see me frequently but, in addition, it would be useful if in this country, as in Scotland, there were a special inshore section. I should welcome an official organisation to which I could talk.