HC Deb 19 May 1976 vol 911 cc1403-5
13. Mr. Luce

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the latest developments regarding the fisheries dispute with Iceland.

Mr. Crosland

Yes, Sir. As my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food told the House on 6th May, we were compelled, in the face of greatly increased harassment by the Icelandic coastguard, to raise the level of the forces protecting our trawlers fishing off Iceland. Her Majesty's Government continue to seek a negotiated settlement of the dispute and I intend to discuss this matter with my NATO colleagues at tomorrow's Council meeting of the Alliance in Oslo.

Mr. Luce

As the future of the fishing industry is being re-examined in the light of the Law of the Sea Conference and of the Common Market negotiations, and as Iceland has a critical rôle to play in terms of the NATO defence of the northern flank, will the Minister now seek a major diplomatic effort, with the help if necessary of the nations that are friendly to both sides in this dispute, to resolve this matter, which is mutually destructive?

Mr. Crosland

I agree that the dispute is mutually destructive. I accept what the hon. Gentleman said about the NATO northern flank and other points to which he alluded. In turn, I must allude to the crucial importance of this matter to the British fishing industry. I should like above anything else to achieve a settlement of this dispute in which there would be no victory and no defeat, but in which both sides could come out with a reasonable and honourable settlement.

Mr. James Johnson

Is my right hon. Friend aware of how much all those in fishing ports, particularly workers in the deep sea fleet, welcome the fact that he is to visit Oslo tomorrow? Will he try to meet the Icelandic Minister who is his opposite number and even, with luck, Prime Minister Hallgrimsson? Secondly, there is talk in the fishing ports of the Icelanders having some offer to make. Can my right hon. Friend say what evidence there is for this idea circulating in Hull, Grimsby and elsewhere? Is there any substance in this story?

Mr. Crosland

I should be willing to meet the Icelandic Foreign Minister in Oslo at any time during the conference. No doubt there are reports circulating in the fishing ports, but I prefer not to comment on that now.

Mr. Wall

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that fishery protection vessels are permitting catches up to voluntarily agreed quotas of fish and that it is therefore futile from the points of view of both Iceland and this country to continue the dispute? Will he do his best to end it as soon as possible?

Mr. Crosland

During the last week many trawlers have returned to the designated fishing area and fishing has been at a better rate than it was previously. Subject to one serious incident affecting the "Primella", the amount of harassment has been minimal. If we take the six months from November to May, which are not the best six months for fishing, we see that more fish was caught by British trawlers off Iceland than in the corresponding six months of the previous year.

Mr. McNamara

Is my right hon. Friend aware that we welcome his visit to Oslo, but we are concerned not only with a settlement of the dispute but with working out a proper fishing policy for this country so that we know what is to happen on investment, infrastructure, decasualisation and other matters? Is he aware that while we hope he will get a settlement with Iceland, he and other Ministers should be looking towards the long-term interests of the British fishing industry?

Mr. Crosland

I very strongly agree with my hon. Friend. It is quite wrong to look at the Icelandic dispute in isolation. It must be seen in the context of the many dramatic changes affecting the industry, and any settlement must be part of a Government statement on a total strategy for the future.

Mr. Crowder

How much money has been costed to the British taxpayer as a result of damage done to Her Majesty's ships in the course of the dispute?

Mr. Crosland

I should be obliged if the hon. and learned Member would put that question to the Secretary of State for Defence.

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