Russian Fishing Vessels (Hansard, 23 February 1977)

§ 8. Sir John Gilmour
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many Russian fishing vessels are at present fishing within 200 miles of the Scottish coast.

§ Mr. Hugh D. Brown
The latest information indicates that there are some 16 Russian fishing vessels currently within 200 miles of the Scottish coast.

§ Sir J. Gilmour
Does the hon. Gentleman agree that, while we can be grateful for the steps taken to reduce the Russian fishing fleet, there is a real worry that as fast as the Russian boats are put out EEC boats will come in to take their place?

§ Mr. Brown
No, I do not accept that. I am glad that the hon. Gentleman has acknowledged the work done in the introduction of a licensing system for non-EEC countries. That is something for which we are entitled to some credit. It is obviously in the interests of conservation to ensure that no country, whichever it may be, is able to exploit stocks to the extent that exploitation has taken place in the past.

§ Mr. Sproat
In this regard, when does the hon. Gentleman propose to introduce the order to ban the landing of ungutted haddock in Scotland's ports? What representations has he had on this matter from the Scottish Fishermen's Federation and the producers' organisations?

§ Mr. Skinner
An Anglo-Russian chairman.

§ Mr. Brown
I should say, for the benefit—

§ Mr. Skinner
That is about as low as you can get.

§ Mr. Speaker
Order.

§ Mr. Brown
I should say, for the benefit of my hon. Friend the Member for 1397 Bolsover (Mr. Skinner), that haddock has nothing to do with Russian fishing vessels. Seriously, however, agreement was reached at a meeting on 4th February. I understand that the industry, which is fairly divided on this issue, is having second thoughts. A meeting is to take place tomorrow, so we are still giving consideration to whether or when to introduce an order.

§ Mr. Henderson
I take the Minister's point that he is in favour of conservation on a non-discriminatory basis. What is his reaction to the Irish Government's proposal that vessels in excess of 110 ft. in length, from whatever country, should be prevented from fishing within 50 miles of the Irish coast? Is there not here the germ of an idea which could be developed for our own fishing industry?

§ Mr. Brown
I cannot win on this one, because of the blatant exploitation for vote purposes by the SNP. I should prefer it if hon. Members recognised that conservation measures have to be varied, perhaps, depending on the circumstances of each country. Therefore, that is the basis for the Irish proposals, and I would not dissent from what they have done.

§ Mr. Corrie
While accepting the conservation measures that the Government have already taken, may I ask the hon. Gentleman to say what talks have taken place with regard to policing, the type of gear used and the sizes of the nets actually being used?

§ Mr. Brown
As the hon. Gentleman will know, this is one of the conservation measures that we have introduced. It is certainly a priority, along with the other conservation measures, because the size of nets is an important factor in our policy.