HC Deb 09 June 1976 vol 912 cc1425-6
11. Sir John Gilmour

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will convene a special meeting with all Scottish fishing interests to report on progress made at the Law of the Sea Conference and to consider any fresh proposals to put forward when the conference resumes.

Mr. Hugh D. Brown

This was discussed at a meeting that my right hon. Friend and I had with representatives of the fishing industry on 28th May, and I do not think that a further meeting on this specific aspect of policy is necessary meantime.

Sir J. Gilmour

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that the changed circumstances arising out of the Foreign Secretary's announcement this week about the Icelandic dispute bring a new element into the discussion, and would not it be better for any further consideration to be conducted on that basis?

Mr. Brown

Perhaps I may refer to what my right hon. Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary said on 7th June. He made the specific point that we were taking into account the changed circumstances following the agreement with Iceland, and he gave an assurance that we would be having consultations with the industry in both the short term and the long term.