HC Deb 18 January 1978 vol 942 cc441-3
13. Mr. Sproat

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

Mr. Gregor MacKenzie

The prospects for the industry depend to a considerable extent on the outcome of the negotiations on the common fisheries policy which are still in progress in Brussels.

Mr. Sproat

Does not the Minister agree that the latest EEC proposals remain totally unacceptable? One does not know whether to treat them as a joke or as an insult. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the news coming out of Brussels today is leading to fears in the industry that there will be a sell-out on limits and quotas as well as on conservation? Does he not agree that there can be no substitute for a 50-mile exclusively controlled limit and for fair quotas backed by strict licences?

Mr. MacKenzie

I very much resent the suggestion by the hon. Member that there has been some sort of sell-out. The hon. Gentleman and all who are interested in the fishing industry would be well advised to wait until the negotiations have been completed and my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food have reported these matters to the House. I know the attitude of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland. He has listened sympathetically to the views put to him about a 50-mile limit. I know that both my right hon. Friends are pursuing all these policies with considerable vigour in Brussels.

Mr. Robert Hughes

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is considerable satisfaction throughout Scotland, as elsewhere, about the vigorous stand which both my right hon. Friends are taking in the fisheries negotiations? Is he further aware that this feeling of satisfaction is particularly marked since people are conscious of the weak negotiating position which this country had as a result of the terms of entry into the EEC approved by the previous Conservative Government? Will he undertake to see that messages are sent to my right hon. Friends to the effect that they can tell the Commission during the present negotiations that they cannot accept any deal on fishing unless it is first approved by this House?

Mr. MacKenzie

I thank my hon. Friend for his comments about the way in which my right hon. Friends are approaching this difficult problem. I can assure him that the message he has given will be passed on. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has done some hard work, which has been much appreciated by hon. Members interested in this subject.

Mr. Watt

May I add my congratulations to both right hon. Gentlemen on their tremendously firm stand in Brussels? Does the Minister recognise the difficult situation which has arisen vis-à-vis our fishermen and Norwegian fishermen? Is he aware that in the absence of any agreement in Brussels there is no reciprocal agreement between ourselves and Norway? Will he take steps to negotiate an interim and reciprocal agreement, if necessary?

Mr. MacKenzie

As the hon. Gentleman knows, these questions do not all concern matters with which I would normally deal. I can assure him that all the comments which have been made will be passed to my right hon. Friend. Everyone recognises the expertise that he has acquired since becoming Secretary of State.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

May I say that we appreciate the extreme pressure under which the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Secretary of State for Scotland are operating? May I assure the right hon. Gentleman that as long as his right hon. Friends maintain a tough stand in the face of unreasonable claims by our European partners they will have the full support of the House? If they weaken, the situation will be different.

Mr. MacKenzie

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman. I know the stand which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland takes. I have seen him operating during negotiations on other matters. The hon. Gentleman can be assured that Scotland's views on these matters will be fairly, squarely and vigorously put to those in Brussels.