HC Deb 30 June 1976 vol 914 cc387-9
22. Mr. Sproat

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

Mr. Hugh D. Brown

My right hon. Friend and I took part in the meeting on 28th June between Ministers and the main representative organisations of the United Kingdom fishing industry. Consultations with the industry will continue at ministerial or official level, as appropriate.

Mr. Sproat

Does the Minister realise that the renegotiation of the fishing limits is probably the most important single issue for the fishing industry over the last decade and that the Government have made a hash of it? Is he further aware that giving in on the negotiating position in respect of 100 miles, and then abandoning his promise to stand on a 50-mile fishing limit, is a shame- ful betrayal of the British fishing industry?

Mr. Brown

That is rather flowery language, but it does not accord with the facts. I presume that the hon. Gentleman is aware of the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary in Luxemburg only yesterday, which emphasised the Government's determination to secure what are reasonable fishing limits in all the circumstances.

Mr. Watt

When the Minister next meets the representatives of the fishing industry, does he expect to be able to tell them who will patrol our 200-mile limits and when the orders are to be placed for suitable boats and aircraft to do the policing?

Mr. Brown

That all depends—[Interruption.] If the rabble on the SNP Bench will listen while I reply to the question that has been asked, they may appreciate that it all depends on when we meet the industry. We are well aware that there is a whole host of problems afflicting the industry at the moment. Certainly the question of the protection services is one to which we are giving consideration.

Mr. McNamara

Is my hon. Friend aware that what matters is not the extent of the limits but the amount of fish that may be caught by the British fleet and the job protection of people involved in the industry, and that these must be the two prime concerns—not any strange virility symbol of 200, 100 or 50 miles?

Mr. Brown

I agree. My right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Department of Employment, has already been in touch with the employers' association in the fishing industry about the present problems of redundancy and to see how job security for the future can be achieved.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

Will the Minister confirm or deny the reports that the Government regard a 12-mile limit for the west coast of Scotland as adequate for the needs of the Scottish fishing industry? Does he acknowledge that this is causing the greatest concern and anxiety among fishermen along the whole coast of Scotland?

Mr. Brown

I certainly accept that there has been concern. We have already said what our position is—that it would be up to 50 miles, and possibly could be 12 miles in some areas.

Hon. Members

Where?

Mr. Brown

It depends where the fish are, actually. I assure the hon. Member that we are well aware of the parts of the waters around our coast that are most prolific in fish. That is one of the considerations that we have very much in mind.