HC Deb 23 May 1979 vol 967 cc1040-2
14. Mr. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements he has made to ensure that the particular interests of Scottish fishermen and farmers will be fully represented in negotiations with the European Economic Community.

18. Mr. McQuarrie

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has to ensure the adequate representation of the views of the Scottish agricultural and fishing industries on the renegotiation of the common agricultural policy and common fisheries policy.

Mr. Younger

I am meeting representatives of these industries to hear their views on both issues. Scottish Ministers and officials are taking a full part in the formulation of United Kingdom policy on agriculture and fisheries, and will attend meetings at all levels in the Community—including the Council of Ministers—whenever necessary.

Mr. Henderson

Will my right hon. Friend confirm the Government's commitment to the pledges made in our election manifesto? Will he confirm that there is indeed urgency in these matters—as the question a moment ago about Dyce underlined—in the context of the devaluation of the green pound in order to permit our farmers to compete on level terms? Will he also recognise the need for urgency to ensure conservation of our fish stocks?

Mr. Younger

I confirm that we intend to proceed as fast as we can to implement the undertakings that we have given to both industries. We shall keep in close consultation with them in doing so.

Mr. McQuarrie

I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for his replies, but as we in the Conservative Party have a commitment to the fishing industry, I should like to have his assurance that the fishing industry and agriculture will be fully consulted before any final negotiations are entered with the EEC. The people in those industries had a fear, while the right hon. Member for Deptford (Mr. Silkin) held the post of Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, that he went to the EEC with his tongue in his cheek—

Mr. Speaker

Order. Question Time is for asking questions and not for advancing a point of view. The hon. Member for Aberdeenshire, East (Mr. McQuarrie) must ask a question.

Mr. McQuarrie

Will my right hon. Friend assure us that before these decisions are taken full consultations will be completed with the fishing industry and with agriculture?

Mr. Younger

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his question. I have already met informally the president of the Scottish National Farmers' Union, and I and my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will tomorrow be meeting representatives of the British fishing industry in order to have consultations with them.

Mr. Robert Hughes

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the manifesto on which the Conservative Party fought the election made no mention whatever of fishing? Is he further aware that we draw small comfort from the fact that his hon. Friend the Member for North Angus and Mearns (Mr. Buchanan-Smith) is now Minister of State at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, since he was party to the sell-out of the fishing industry when we joined the Common Market?

Mr. Younger

I certainly do not accept the last part of the hon. Gentleman's question. If he can spare the time this evening, he might care to read the Conservative manifesto, in which he will find that there is a mention of fishing.

Mr. Sproat

Will my right hon. Friend accept that, very welcome as are the extra conservation measures announced last week, the fishing industry requires more? Will he give urgent consideration to introducing, first, a one-net rule and, secondly, to extending the pout box?

Mr. Younger

These are matters that we have in mind to discuss with our colleagues, and we shall take the advice of the fishing industry on those very points.

Mr. Jay

Will the right hon. Gentleman assure the house that he will defend the interests of Scottish fishermen and farmers in Brussels with no less determination than the previous Government showed?

Mr. Younger

Yes, I can give that assurance.