HC Deb 16 June 1976 vol 913 cc540-2
33. Sir A. Meyer

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with other EEC Ministers about the Icelandic fisheries dispute.

Mr. Crosland

Throughout the Icelandic fisheries dispute and since its conclusion Her Majesty's Government have kept in very close touch about it with all Community Governments and with the Commission.

Sir A. Meyer

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is considerable sympathy and admiration for the courage and realism that he has used in extricating this country from the untenable position in which it had been placed by the jingoistic bragging of his predecessor? Will he draw the lesson from this incident, and in seeking to define a future fisheries policy pay regard to obtainable objectives and the common interests of our partners?

Mr. Crosland

I am obliged to the hon. Gentleman for his opening remarks, which I hope will be noted in Humberside. As for the latter part of his remarks, I accept the broad objective, subject to my view that the British national interest in this case is of overriding importance.

Mr. James Johnson

Without wishing in any manner to have a post mortem on this subject, and bearing in mind that in my right hon. Friend's constituency and in mine many vessels are now being laid up, will he be prepared, in the event of our not getting another agreement on 1st December, to ask the EEC to impose a tariff upon Icelandic exports of fish into the Community?

Mr. Crosland

My hon. Friend is very vocal on these matters but, with respect, he does not always get his facts correct. If he had bothered to read the text of the agreement, which, as a Humberside MP, he should have done, he would have seen that it is made clear that in the view of the British Government Protocol 6 should apply only for the duration of the six months agreement with Iceland, unless and until some further long-term agreement is made. My hon. Friend has made enough criticisms of the agreement, without getting his facts totally and completely wrong.

Mr. Wall

Has the Minister discussed the extension of fisheries limits to 200 miles, with a 50-mile exclusive economic zone, which has become even more essential in view of the effects of the settlement of the Icelandic dispute?

Mr. Crosland

At the last Council of Ministers meeting my right hon. Friend the Minister of State described in broad outline the British negotiating position. As far as I am concerned, that is the final position on the exclusive coastal belt. If we achieve our aims in this matter, there is no doubt that in total the catch for British industry should in future be roughly what it has been in the past, although, as the hon. Gentleman will know, there will be an enormous shift in the character of the catch.

Mr. Watt

Will the Secretary of State reach a speedy decision with his EEC colleagues on who is to patrol the fishing limits round Britain? Will he quickly place orders for the boats and the aircraft that will be required for such purposes?

Mr. Crosland

That is a pertinent question. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has foreseen this situation for some time past and has been placing orders of a character that will meet the hon. Gentleman's demands.

Mr. Prescott

Does my right hon. Friend accept the view expressed by Commissioner Lardinois yesterday that anything beyond a 12-mile limit is not possible without a change in the Treaty? Does he agree that it means the fishing policy depending upon quotas and national enforcement, which will be disastrous for our fishing industry and reflects a negotiating posture in which we are likely to lose yet again?

Mr. Crosland

I did not read the remarks made by Commissioner Lardinois yesterday. Therefore, I do not like to give a snap off-the-cuff judgment on them. On what my hon. Friend said, however, they would meet with considerable resistance from the British Government.

Mr. Brotherton

Despite the Secretary of State's apparent determination not to help Humberside fishermen, will he tell the House that he will do his best to ensure that a 50-mile exclusive economic zone is made available for British fishermen after the Law of the Sea Conference reports?

Mr. Crosland

The Government have already publicly made known their view on the common fisheries policy. I hope that, for a change, the hon. Gentleman will tell his constituents the truth of the matter.