HC Deb 11 February 1976 vol 905 cc430-1
9. Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next plans to meet representatives of the fishing industry.

Mr. William Ross

I am meeting representatives of the Scottish Trawlers Federation and other organisations concerned with the fishing industry in North-East Scotland on 13th February.

Mr. Sproat

I am glad that the right hon. Gentleman is attending that meeting, but will he take to it an awareness that we are talking not just about a crisis but about the possible death of an industry in which 8,000 jobs are directly involved and another 20,000 jobs indirectly involved? Is he aware that we need financial aid of £4 million fast, and that this sum represents only 3 per cent. of what we are splashing out on Chrysler?

Mr. Ross

I shall listen with interest to all that is said by the Scottish Trawlers Federation, but I am not giving any hostages to generous fortune today.

Mr. Robert Hughes

Will my right hon. Friend say whether the previous trawler subsidy scheme which lapsed in 1973 is still available under legislation and whether it could be reactivated, by Order, to provide a subsidy for an industry that is in serious trouble? Will he take this opportunity to deny the suggestions being made in some quarters that the Government are deliberately with-holding money from the industry in order to force it to slim down the number of vessels?

Mr. Ross

My hon. Friend's last point is quite nonsensical. The Government have never embarked on that course. We made clear at the outset, when we introduced the aid in 1975, that it was temporary, although my hon. Friend will remember that we continued it for a further period. During that time, a total of £3.2 million was paid in Scotland on total landings worth £59 million. In the longer term, there is no doubt that this industry, like others, must adjust to the market. I shall consider the legislative possibility raised by my hon. Friend.

Sir John Gilmour

I am glad that the right hon. Gentleman is meeting the Scottish Trawlers Federation and interests in the North-East, but does he realise that it is essential to meet the whole industry before the British delegation goes to the Law of the Sea Conference in New York, in March?

Mr. Ross

The hon. Member should not take it for granted that because I am meeting this section of the industry on Friday I have not met other sections. I have had a useful and confidential talk with representatives of the inshore fleet within the past week.