HC Deb 13 November 1978 vol 958 cc32-4
Mr. Hicks

I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 9, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration, namely, the threat to the inshore fishing industry of South-West England as a consequence of recent developments in the fishing of mackerel. In recent days there has been a major concentration of United Kingdom fishing vessels off the coast of South Devon and South Cornwall fishing for mackerel. At present there are 24 purse seiners fishing these waters, with the prospect of more to come. In addition, there are 15 large freezer trawlers. Most of these large modern vessels, using industrial fishing techniques, have descended on these traditionally inshore waters from other parts of the United Kingdom. There are also at present about 24 visiting trawlers in these waters.

Furthermore, there are in residence approximately 25 trans-shipment fish processing vessels, mainly from the Soviet Union and the Eastern bloc countries, eager to purchase and some capable of processing amounts of fish in excess of 100 tons a day per vessel.

There are also significant side effects, each of which contributes to the urgency of the matter that I am bringing to the attention of the House, such as the risks of collision between the larger vessels and the smaller inshore vessels in the confined areas where the mackerel are to be found, and the risks of pollution both from dumping fish at sea and from the processing vessels inshore.

Repeated and urgent representations have been made to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and to Ministers, including the Prime Minister, by West Country Members and interested organisations. No decisions have yet been

announced by Ministers about the need to extend the exclusive limit for hand liners and smaller inshore craft from the present three-mile limit to six miles. A new scheme based on quotas dependent upon the length of the vessel has been introduced, but the urgent problem of enforcing the quotas still remains.

There is no doubt that more fish are being taken from the water than the amounts allowed under the landing and trans-shipment quotas. There is still no check by Ministry officials on the Soviet and other processing vessels as to the amount of fish they actually take on board and process.

The matter is urgent. The situation must not be allowed to deteriorate or to become ugly.

You know as well as I do, Mr. Speaker, that Cornwall's economy is narrowly based. Not only are jobs at stake but the very livelihood of certain coastal communities is being placed at risk while the Minister dithers over the question of ex- tending the inshore limit and regulating certain of the methods being used by the larger vessels.

Above all, the future of the mackerel stock is being jeopardised. This is a national consideration, not merely a West Country consideration. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I ask you to give favourable consideration to my request.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Gentleman gave me notice before noon today that he would seek leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that he thinks should have urgent consideration, namely, the threat to the inshore fishing industry of South-West England as a consequence of recent developments in the fishing of mackerel. I listened carefully to what the hon. Gentleman said, and I realise that he has raised an important question.

As the House knows, under Standing Order No. 9 I am directed to take account of the several factors set out in the order but to give no reasons for my decision. Although I realise that the hon. Gentleman has fulfilled his duty by the South-West this afternoon, I must rule that his submission does not fall within the provisions of the Standing Order, and, therefore, I cannot submit his application to the House.