HC Deb 17 July 1980 vol 988 cc1731-4
2. Mr. G. Strang

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with representatives of the fishing industry about the state of the industry; and if he will make a statement.

10. Mr. Skinner

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further steps he is taking to restore the fortunes of the fishing industry.

The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Alick Buchanan-Smith)

My right hon. Friend and I, together with the Minister of State, Scottish Office, met representatives of the major fish catching organisations on 3 July to discuss papers which they had prepared regarding the financial position of the industry. We are considering the issues raised at that meeting.

Mr. Strang

Does not the Minister of State accept that, important as the negotions in Luxembourg next week will be, more crucial to the fishing industry at this time are the discussions that will take place in the British Cabinet on the industry's formal request for £35 million of temporary aid? Welcome as the £3 million was, will the Minister confirm that the industry is in desperate need of aid, and that the Government are seriously considering the figure of £35 million?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

Both questions are crucial, but the common fisheries policy and the long-term future of the industry are probably the most crucial factors of all. The meeting that we had with the industry was at the invitation of Ministers, which demonstrates the concern of the Government about the current financial situation.

Mr. Skinner

Is it not true to say that since the Tory Government came into office, allied with their sidekicks in the Common Market, the British trawling industry has had havoc wreaked upon it, with the result that a fortnight ago a statement was made that there was a "For sale" notice on nearly every trawler in the British fleet, including the one that the Prime Minister launched a couple of years ago, the "Boston Sea Stallion", which is now losing £2,000 a trip? So much for Tory expertise and efficiency. [Interruption.] Not only stallions but—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Gentleman must ask a question.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

If the hon. Gentleman understood the fishing industry, he would understand, first, that the problems of the deep-sea industry are related basically to the question of the extension to 200 miles and not to the Common Market. Secondly, the hon. Gentleman should also realise that the biggest handicap that could face the fishing industry would be stalemate concerning its future. We are determined to break that stalemate and ensure that there is a future for the industry.

Mr. Pollock

Is my hon. Friend aware that there is increasing concern among the fishermen on the north-east coast of Scotland about how they are to keep afloat pending settlement of the common fisheries policy? Will he accept that there are increasingly strong feelings that one solution would be the early injection of a fuel subsidy?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

We had a meeting yesterday with representatives of the fishing industry. They demonstrated their concern that, while there were important financial difficulties being faced at the present time which require solution, equally it is the long-term solution—the framework to ensure a future for the industry—that matters most of all. It is to that end that we are negotiating a proper settlement under the common fisheries policy.

Mr. J. Enoch Powell

Who is it that would deny us the benefit of a 200-mile limit?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

As the right hon. Gentleman knows, fish do not know 200-mile limits. The most effective conservation we can have is that which is internationally agreed. Under whatever system we have, conservation has to be agreed internationally. In that respect, being a member of the EEC makes no difference whatever.

Mr. Donald Stewart

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that members of crews are leaving vessels in all the ports around the coast, and that an immediate injection to carry the industry over until the common fisheries policy is settled—if it ever will be—is absolutely essential?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

I acknowledge the problems that the industry is facing. It is precisely that point that we have under discussion at present, in consultation with the industry.

Mr. Peter Fraser

Since the meeting of 3 July to which my hon. Friend referred, has he received any revised figures from the representatives of the Scottish fishing industry indicating that there has been a yet further deterioration in the marketing of their fish up and down the east coast of Scotland?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

At our meeting of 3 July we asked the industry for amplification of some of the figures it produced then. Those figures were received only last night and we are considering them urgently.

Mr. Robert Hughes

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the fishing industry has said that it cannot wait until September or November for the injection of aid, which now seems to be demanded even by his own Back Benchers? Will the hon. Gentleman tell us what prospects there are of meeting the subsidy that the industry requires?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

For the reasons that the hon. Gentleman has mentioned, we are considering it now.

Mr. Myles

Is there no way, under article 39 of the Treaty of Rome—which says that incomes in the industry ought to be kept up to a reasonable level—of restricting imports which are damaging those incomes so much?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

That is precisely why we have taken action on two fronts, first, in relation to imports from third countries and, secondly, in relation to an interim aid scheme.

Mr. Mason

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there has been a rapid deterioration in the industry in the past few months? He keeps stressing the need for aid in the long term, that is to say, through the common fisheries policy. What will he do about the serious position in the industry now? Is he prepared to give some short-term aid—yes or no?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

That is precisely the point that we are considering at present.

Mr. Mason

The hon. Gentleman said that this issue was under urgent consideration when he was asked the quetion on the last occasion. What will he tell the House now?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

The right hon. Gentleman must have failed to hear me. I pointed out that the latest representations from the industry were received only last night.

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