Fishing Industry (Hansard, 3 March 1976)

§ 8. Mr. Sproat
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the latest situation in the fishing industry.

§ The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. William Ross)
The general improvement in the market situation during the second half of 1975 has been sustained in 1976. In the first five weeks of 1976 the Scottish industry's gross earnings are 22 per cent. up on those for the comparable period in 1975. The 1294 gross earnings of the white fish sector increased by almost 40 per cent., and the earnings per day at sea for white fish trawlers over 80 ft increased by 45 per cent.

§ Mr. Sproat
Unfortunately, I cannot accept the optimism implied by the right hon. Gentleman about the market for the rest of this year. Is he aware that the latest EEC document on fishing limits is totally unacceptable to all sections of the industry? Since the Minister of Agriculture is in Brussels all this week, will he be discussing the latest document? If not, when can we expect ministerial discussions on fishing limits to begin?

§ Mr. Ross
The EEC Commission has now produced two working documents which will provide the basis for urgent discussion of specific proposals. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has pressed the United Kingdom's case in Brussels earlier this week. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and I will be furthering this matter in future discussions. I think that the hon. Gentleman will be aware of what we said about this working paper in the debate a short time ago.

§ Mr. Henderson
Will the right hon. Gentleman accept that there is great concern in all parts of the House about this EEC document? Will he undertake to press vigorously for a 100-mile exclusive limit for our own fishermen when he has discussions with his right hon. Friend?

§ Mr. Ross
I think that I spoke about this in the debate and outlined our difficulties. We are in a Community in which free access is already allowed and we have a derogation in respect of a certain coastal strip until 1982. Our position is not one for which I exactly wished, but the hon. Gentleman can take it from me that I will press as far as I can for satisfactory arrangements for the fishing industry.

§ Mr. Robert Hughes
Am I not correct in thinking that my right hon. Friend's original answer expressed neither optimism nor dismay but simply gave a ray of hope that figures are standing up? Is not a 45 per cent. increase in earnings over the period he mentioned in stark contrast to the dismal and pessimistic forecasts by the industry only a few 1295 weeks ago? Should not the industry perhaps give us a further set of figures so as to come clean about where it stands on this matter?

§ Mr. Ross
If the House or hon. Members from the North-East do not like my figures, perhaps they would like to consult the Press and Journal of 25th February, which carried the headline: Fishing Gets Off to a Flying Start". The figures given in that article show that in the first five weeks the total Scottish catch was worth £6.858 million. That is an increase over the same period last year of nearly £1¼ million.

§ Mr. Buchanan-Smith
Would not the right hon. Gentleman admit that when one is considering the financial situation of the industry one should consider not just earnings but costs? Is it not a fact that costs rose over the last year by more than 25 per cent.? To be fair, therefore, should he not balance that increase against the increase of earnings?

§ Mr. Ross
Of course. The hon. Gentleman should know, from what I said in the debate I mentioned and have said in answer to other questions, that we have been in touch with the industry. We have certain figures and at present we are asking for a breakdown in terms of size of boat and other matters. I have said before and I say again that the industry has been far too gloomy in its forecasts. The figures for the first five weeks certainly bear out what I said.