HC Deb 06 February 1980 vol 978 cc476-7
5. Mr. McQuarrie

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he proposes to visit the fish processing factories in East Aberdeenshire.

The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. George Younger)

My noble Friend the Minister of State has visited factories in the area in recent months and I intend to do so myself during my forthcoming visit to the North-East.

Mr. McQuarrie

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. Will he endeavour to visit the area within the next month, bearing in mind the fact that at Peterhead last Saturday over 600 people connected with the fishing industry attended a crisis meeting because their livelihoods were at stake? It is absolutely essential that my right hon. Friend should see the situation at the very earliest possible moment.

Mr. Younger

I thank my hon. Friend for what he has said and for the account that he gave me of that important meeting. I shall, of course, try to visit these places as quickly as I can, and I shall keep in touch with my hon. Friend about possible dates.