HC Deb 11 June 1980 vol 986 cc550-1
16. Mr. Donald Stewart

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what assistance he has offered to lobster fishermen in the Western Isles.

Mr. Younger

I am very conscious of the difficulties being experienced by lobster fishermen in the Western Isles and elsewhere as a result of the increase in the import of lobsters from Canada into the United Kingdom and the European Community generally. I am considering as a matter of urgency whether any action can be taken to alleviate the situation.

Mr. Stewart

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in some areas more than half the boats have withdrawn from lobster fishing, and that there is a crisis in the industry? Does he accept that lobster fishermen need assistance now?

Mr. Younger

There is a problem. As the right hon. Gentleman knows, it is not possible to exclude such imports. The Highlands and Islands Development Board has been asked to help, and it is considering the matter.

Mr. John MacKay

May we have an assurance that Canadian lobsters will be seen by the housewife to be Canadian, so that they are not passed off in the shops as lobsters from the Western Isles of Scotland?

Mr. Younger

I shall look into my hon. Friend's suggestion. Scottish lobsters are of a higher quality than Canadian lobsters, and I have no doubt that that is known to the housewife.

Mr. Maclennan

The Secretary of State has known about the problem for many weeks. Why does he come to the House today and say that he is considering the matter, albeit with urgency? Why is not he in a position to announce the help that the industry needs?

Mr. Younger

Help is being given to the industry, but, unfortunately, the organisation of that part of the industry is not suitable to take advantage of the help that we are channelling through the producer organisations. We are looking for other ways to help, and the Highlands and Islands Development Board is considering the matter.