HC Deb 24 November 1975 vol 901 cc484-6

Mr. Wall(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will now provide naval protection for British trawlers fishing off Iceland.

The Minister of State for Defence (Mr. William Rodgers)

Civilian protection vessels are already operating with our trawlers fishing off Iceland. In addition, a Royal Air Force NIMROD aircraft is at present over the fishing ground, and further flights are being arranged. My right hon. Friends and I are meeting the industry later today, and protection measures are amongst the questions to be discussed. These are difficult and sensitive matters on which my right hon. Friends and I fully appreciate and wholly share the deep concern of the House.

Mr. Wall

Why is it necessary to hold yet another conference? Have there not been six warp-cutting attacks during the past few days? Is it not clear that the adequate protection promised by the Prime Minister himself is not now being accorded? will not the right hon. Gentleman send the naval protection to which our trawler skippers are entitled?

Mr. Rodgers These are certainly matters which we have in mind to discuss this evening. We are extremely anxious that we should provide adequate protection without provocation, and that there should be no premature escalation of what are very difficult circumstances indeed. For the moment we feel that no further decision is required.

Mr. Brotherton

Is not the Minister aware that the provocation has already happened with these six cases of warp-cutting? Will he not agree with me that the primary responsibility of the Government in this matter is to the fishermen—the skippers and the crews? It is all very well to talk of this matter academically in London, Hull or Grimsby, but surely the Navy should be sent in to protect our fishermen who are going about their lawful occasions on the high seas.

Mr. Rodgers

The primary responsibility of the Government is to try to find an answer to this extremely difficult problem. Certainly, within those limits we wish to help our fishermen as much as we possibly can. I hope that the House will believe that the meeting we are having this afternoon is a further step in that direction.

Mr. Henderson

Would not the right hon. Gentleman accept that in the view of many of our fishermen the action taken by Iceland is one which should be followed by our Government? Our fishermen would not resent the Icelanders increasing their limits if our Government would follow their example and do the same.

Mr. Rodgers

On this occasion, as on many others, I do not think that the hon. Gentleman fairly represents the view of the House.

Mr. Geraint Howells

Does the Minister expect another ultimatum from the trawlermen if his present proposals fail? If that comes about, how many Royal Navy ships will be needed to protect the trawlermen in the North Sea? What are the long-term policies and plans of the Minister to end the senseless cold cod war in the North Sea?

Mr. Rodgers

The present position is that when it was agreed that we should meet the industry again this afternoon, we recommended to the skippers fishing off Iceland that they should remain on station for the time being. As far as I know, they are still there. Therefore, I think that it is premature to try to indicate what form any further protection might take. As for a solution to the problem, my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office gave a very full reply last Thursday, and we hope that this problem will be solved by negotiation.

Mr. Younger

Will the Minister bear in mind in his discussions that the present situation is that British fishermen going about their lawful business are being prevented from doing so by force? If he feels that it is not yet appropriate to move the Royal Navy in to support the trawlermen as they have requested, will he at least ensure that Royal Navy vessels are moved to the area so that they are in the vicinity of the 200-mile limit and ready quickly to help if the right moment comes?

Mr. Rodgers

I accept the description of the situation which the hon. Gentleman has outlined. We are discussing the matter—which involves more than the skippers who are now fishing off Iceland, whatever their particular and very real problems—with the industry. Certainly we shall take all necessary measures to enable us to provide further protection on time should it be decided to be necessary.