Fishing Industry

HC Deb 26 October 1977 vol 936 cc1418-21

5. Mr. Sproat

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

Mr. Millan

I met representatives of the fishing industry on Tuesday 18th October to discuss their views on the common fisheries policy. I also had several discussions with representatives of the industry yesterday in Luxembourg during the meeting of the Council of Ministers.

Mr. Sproat

When the Secretary of State met the fishermen yesterday, did he say that there was no way in which the present EEC proposals were acceptable? Does he agree that it is totally unfair to expect the United Kingdom to contribute 60 per cent. to the EEC's pond and to get out of it only 21 per cent., as the rest of the EEC proposes? What contingency plans or proposals do the Government have for taking legal unilateral action in regard to conservation within the 50-mile limit?

Mr. Robert Hughes

This is a Sproat to catch a mackerel.

Mr. Millan

On the first point, I would point out to the hon. Gentleman that the industry is well aware of our view that the present Commission proposals are highly unsatisfactory. We have not only made that clear to the industry but we have also made it clear to the Council of Ministers and the Commission. In regard to unilateral national conservation measures, I believe that we have taken such measures where needs have demanded them, and the Commission understands that we shall continue to take national conservation measures wherever we consider them to be necessary in the absence of effective action in the Community.

Mr. James Johnson

Can my right hon. Friend confirm that the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food had a stormy passage in his meeting with fellow EEC Ministers last Monday and that he was so thwarted that at one stage he spoke of the United Kingdom going it alone? Will my right hon. Friend convey to him that in that event he will have the full support of every party in the House?

Mr. Millan

Yes, I shall convey that view to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Those who have seen the details of what my right hon. Friend said on Monday when discussing the internal régime will be able to confirm that it was a robust defence of United Kingdom interests.

Mr. Watt

Is the Minister aware of what has been taking place on the West Coast throughout the summer? Does he appreciate that Danish and Faroese boats have been catching herring before they get within the 12-mile limit, with the result that there has been a disastrous herring season on the West Coast? Will the Government take conservation action by banning all industrial fishing within 50 miles until the EEC sorts out its policy?

Mr. Millan

I have already dealt with conservation measures. On the subject of West Coast herring, we have had a Community decision on allocations which has been extremely favourable to the United Kingdom since rather more than 70 per cent. of the allocation will come to us, and that means to Scottish fishermen.

Mr. Robert Hughes

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the lack of progress towards the adoption of a sensible fishing régime is causing tremendous con- cern, but will he appreciate that we in no way hold him responsible for any lack of progress? Since information on proposals and counter-proposals by the Commission so often comes to us secondhand, and sometimes in a garbled fashion, will he publish in full the detailed Government proposals and various responses from the Commission so that what the Government are frying to do can be widely understood?

Mr. Millan

On the first point, the industry has told me quite firmly that we should not be tempted, because of frustration at the delays caused, into agreeing an internal régime that is not satisfactory to United Kingdom interests. That is my view too. I want to reach a settlement on this matter as soon as we can do so because I want to end the uncertainty in the United Kingdom industry. But I am not willing to agree to a settlement simply for the sake of speed unless that settlement meets our essential interests. We have made this clear to the Community, and the industry supports us.

On the second point, I shall consider whether there is any further information that can be made available in a convenient form. Some of these matters are detailed and complicated, but I shall take up my hon. Friend's suggestions and see whether we can put further information in the Library or in some other way make such information available to the House.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

Does the Secretary of State accept that he has the full support of the Opposition in the robust stand he took in the recent negotiations? Can he say what further plans he has for limitations on industrial fishing and when the next meeting will take place?

Mr. Millan

Certain aspects of the matters we discussed yesterday will come up in a fortnight's time at the meeting of Agriculture Ministers. The next full meeting to discuss fishery matters will be on 5th and 6th December. Industrial fishing is not a matter that can be dealt with in isolation. There are other problems relating to conservation. We have made absolutely clear, however, that where there is a conflict, as there very often is, between industrial fishing and fishing for human consumption, fishing for human consumption must have priority. I think that that is well understood within the Community and is becoming increasingly accepted.