§ 2. Mr. Beithasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will set up a review of statutory and public bodies responsible for the regulation of the fishing industry and fishing grounds.
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. E. S. Bishop)A first round of consultation about the future of the White Fish Authority and Herring Industry Board has been undertaken. The Expenditure Committee has recommended that the functions of Sea Fisheries Committees should be reviewed when the common fisheries policy has taken definite shape, and my right hon. Friend is considering the recommendation.
§ Mr. BeithWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that we may have to wait a long time for the common fisheries policy to take any logical shape and that there is a state of some confusion in the inshore fishing grounds? Is he aware that as well as his Department and the Scottish Office operating off the coast of my constituency there are three other public bodies, namely, the Sea Fisheries Committee, the Water Authority and the Tweed Commissioners; that all of them operate their own patrol vessels and all deal with the inshore section of waters? Is there not much scope for review even before a conclusion is reached on the common fisheries policy?
§ Mr. BishopKnowing the hon. Gentleman's interest in the fisheries around his part of the coast, I think that he will be aware of the role of these authorities, especially the sea fisheries committees. Before knowing about the regulation and enforcement provisions of the revised CFP it would be premature to take any action. The revision of regulation and enforcement provisions is most important and must have priority, but I shall take the hon. Gentleman's comments into account.
§ Mr. WattIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the fishery protection service that comes under his jurisdiction and that of the Secretary of State for Defence is doing an adequate job of patrolling and ensuring that EEC boats are using nets with the right size of mesh?
§ Mr. BishopI can repeat the assurance that has been given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence and others about enforcement. At present we are satisfied. I assure the hon. Gentleman that the matter is kept under review.
§ Mr. WallIf the right hon. Gentleman's right hon. Friend went to Brussels and reached an agreement on the common fisheries policy which was later upset by a vote in this place, which agreement would remain valid, the Minister's or the decision reached by the House?
§ Mr. BishopI remind the hon. Gentleman, as I told the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith), that we have to know what the policy is before we go into some of these aspects. I agree that the matter is urgent.