HC Deb 05 July 1977 vol 934 cc1100-1
9. Mr. Torney

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will review the Nimrod fishing protection rôle.

Mr. Wellbeloved

Nimrod aircraft of the Royal Air Force have carried out their fishery protection rôle most effectively during the past six months. We will continue to keep the rôle under review in the light of experience and in consultation with the other Departments involved.

Mr. Torney

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Would he not agree that there has been a change of circumstances in the last week or so inasmuch as there has been a ban on herring fishing? In the light of the fact that some foreign Powers seem to want to disregard that ban, is he absolutely certain that all the necessary facilities are available to do the job of policing our waters and enforcing the ban, which, I believe, has a great deal of support on all sides of the House?

Mr. Wellbeloved

My Department is satisfied that the Royal Navy and the RAF have the capacity to maintain surveillance, as in the case of the RAF. and to intercept, as in the case of the Navy.

Mr. Marten

Would the Royal Navy fire on the ships of our EEC partners?

Mr. Wellbeloved

The precise rules of engagement for our ships at sea are within the competence of my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Royal Navy. I know the rules for engagement for the RAF.

Mr. Brotherton

Is the Minister aware that normally our partners in the EEC, or indeed any others arrested in territorial waters, do not fire back but accept arrest gracefully?

Mr. Wellbeloved

I am sure we all hope that our partners in the Common Market will act with the same common sense as will Her Majesty's Government and that this dispute will be speedily resolved, so that we may conserve our herring stocks and be able to earn a decent livelihood in future.

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