HC Deb 05 August 1976 vol 916 cc2115-6
22. Mr. Cormack

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has considered plans for the nationalisation of the fishing industry.

Mr. Pearl

No, Sir.

Mr. Cormack

Will the right hon. Gentleman take it from me as a Grimsbarian that I am delighted with that answer? Is he aware, however, that the fishing industry faces acute problems? What plans have the Government in mind to ease them?

Mr. Peart

I accept what the hon. Gentleman says. I made a major state- ment on this matter after the settlement with Iceland. We are still having discussions with the employers and the trade unions in the industry. I shall be meeting their representatives tomorrow.

Mr. McNamara

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the fishing industry could do worse under nationalisation than it is doing under private ownership? Hypocritical and misleading statements have been put out by the British Trawlers Federation about the Government's present negotiating position regarding an exclusive fishing zone. What we need in the fishing industry is proper labour relations and decasualisation.

Mr. Peart

I accept that we need proper labour relations, and decasualisation is one of the matters I am discussing with the unions concerned.

Mr. Pym

When will the Minister make a statement in public that he is absolutely opposed to nationalisation of the land as well as to nationalisation of the fishing industry?

Mr. Peart

I have already made a statement that I have no proposals to nationalise land. The right hon. Gentleman knows that.