HC Deb 06 August 1980 vol 990 cc512-4
12. Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what latest discussions he has had with representatives of the fishing industry regarding low fish prices and other factors contributing to the current crisis in the fishing industry.

Mr. George Younger

The industry's representatives amplified the case which they had presented on the economic state of the industry at a meeting with Ministers on 3 July.

Mr. Sproat

Is my right hon. Friend aware that quayside prices today are still very depressed? Is it not deeply worrying that 10 years ago we were importing about 15 per cent. of our fish, but that today we are importing almost 75 per cent? What further measures is my right hon. Friend considering to stop foreign countries, particularly our EEC partners, from dumping cheap foreign imported fish in this country?

Mr. Younger

That has been one of the main problems of the industry this year, but, as my hon. Friend knows, we cannot act unilaterally. We have, however, persuaded the Community to increase reference prices for imports of frozen fish from third countries. Community tariffs on cod, haddock and hake have also been returned to the full rate, due largely to our actions. These measures should help the industry significantly.

Mr. Maclennan

Is the Secretary of State aware that any announcement that he may make later today about the level of Government aid to the industry will be judged by the demand of the industry for help of at least £35 million? If the response falls short of that the Government will be seen to have failed in their duty.

Mr. Younger

I am happy that the Government should be judged on the contents of the package when it is announced. I hope that the hon. Gentleman will listen with interest to the announcement.

Mr. McQuarrie

I am sure that we all await with considerable interest the statement to be made later today, but will my right hon. Friend confirm that it is essential that the withdrawal and reference prices of the EEC are substantially increased at the quayside? Unless those prices are increased the fishing industry cannot possibly hope to survive.

Mr. Younger

I appreciate the difficulties. My hon. Friend has seen me about them on many occasions. These are the matters that we have taken into account in working out the help that we can give the industry.

Mr. Strang

With regard to earlier statements on this matter, is the Secretary of State aware that when I contacted the office of the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food yesterday morning I was informed that no statement was to be made yesterday afternoon on the question of aid to the fishing industry? It is therefore untrue to suggest that a ministerial statement on this matter could not be made because of the actions of the Opposition. Is the Secretary of State further aware that when £3 million of aid was announced there was a proper ministerial statement? If the intention is to make the announcement during the debate on the EEC, that will be wholly unacceptable.

Mr. Younger

I do not know what the hon. Gentleman was told by telephone. He knows that there was business that might have been discussed last night, but that that discussion was prevented by the Opposition. That is the point that I make.

Mr. Robert Hughes

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I feel that it is within your discretion to rule on the way in which the Secretary of State is grossly misleading the House. In the Aberdeen Evening Express last night the front page was devoted—if you prefer, Mr. Speaker, I shall raise this matter at the end of Question Time.

Mr. Speaker

I think that it would be fairer to the hon. Member's colleagues if he waited until after Question Time. However, the matter did not sound as though it had anything to do with me.