Fishing Industry (Hansard, 19 February 1981)

§ 2. Mr. Wall
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the present state of the fishing industry.

§ 8. Sir Albert Costain
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made in considering measures to restore confidence in the future of fishing.

§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Alick Buchanan-Smith)
My right hon. Friend and I met representatives of the fishing industry on Tuesday this week at our request to receive information from them about the present financial situation in the industry. We also agreed the membership of the joint team of industry representatives and officials which is to investigate allegations about unfair and illegal imports.

§ Mr. Wall
I congratulate my hon. Friend on the immediate action that he has taken in consultation with the industry. Can he say whether equal immediate action will be taken to provide temporary financial help? What is being done in the EEC and in Britain to prevent the dumping of cheap fish on our market?

§ Mr. Buchanan-Smith
The alleged dumping is a matter for investigation. The team is expected to meet 435 early next week. We look forward to receiving its report as soon as possible. Representatives of the industry presented their case for financial aid to us on Tuesday. The documentary evidence was presented to us only on Tuesday, although we received one paper on Monday. We are analysing the evidence and as soon as we have done so we shall discuss the matter further with the industry.

§ Sir Albert Costain
Is the Minister aware that a recent edition of Fishing News indicated that he was prepared to stand out for a 12-mile limit from Flamborough Head to the North Foreland? Will he confirm that he is equally determined to do that for the South Coast of England?

§ Mr. Buchanan-Smith
Unfortunately, as my hon. Friend knows, no conclusion has yet been reached on a common fisheries" policy. Access is one of the issues central to the policy. The Government believe that we need an adequate zone of exclusive access. Equally, however, we must consider matters of historic rights where they are vital to other countries.

§ Mr. John Home Robertson
Is the Minister aware of the growing despair in the industry and the appalling number of redundancies now being created in the fish processing industry? What initiative does he intend to take to give fishermen the confidence to return to sea?

§ Mr. Buchanan-Smith
I am surprised that the hon. Gentleman is not aware of the initiative that the Government have taken. In addition to the £17 million of aid that we gave last year, we brought forward the review of the industry's finances, which was to take place at the end of March. The first review neeting took place at the Government's request during the earlier part of the week. I am sorry that the hon. Gentleman did not listen to my original reply.

§ Mr. Home Robertson
They are still on strike.

§ Mr. Buchanan-Smith
I regret that the fishermen are still on strike. The hon. Gentleman sounds almost as if he takes pleasure from it. I hope that he knows that the fishermen who are remaining in port are doing so against the advice of their own leaders.

§ Mr. Donald Stewart
Is it not the case that, whatever historic rights existed hitherto, the whole thing, to use the common phrase, is now up for grabs? Whatever the Minister is prepared to concede, should not at least he and his right hon. Friend stand out for a 12-mile exclusive limit for United Kingdom fishermen?

§ Mr. Buchanan-Smith
In the negotiations in Brussels, which have not yet reached a conclusion, we always consult the representatives of the fishing industry who are with us. We shall continue to do so in the forthcoming negotiations.

§ Mr. Sproat
Is my hon. Friend aware that the situation is growing more desperate day by day in all parts of the fishing industry in the North-East of Scotland? Is he aware that fish processers have already had to lay off about 500 men this week? If positive action is not taken quickly, that could run into thousands. Is he aware that fish merchants are being told that if they cannot meet their supplies next week major contracts will have to be cancelled and will be sent abroad? Will my hon. Friend give us the names of those who will serve on the committee to investigate allegations of fish dumping?

§ Mr. Buchanan-Smith
The Government have already taken action on two fronts. First, they have brought forward a review of the industry's finances. Secondly, they have set up the team of representatives of the industry and officials to investigate allegations about imports. We have asked for nominations from the three main fishing organisations, two nominations from producer organisations and one from Northern Ireland. The Department is ready to start work on the investigation immediately.
I acknowledge the problem that is facing processers. I hope that the fishermen who are not going to sea will bear in mind the wider interests of the industry—for example, processers and those employed in processing firms—as well as their own interests.

§ Mr. Strang
Is the hon. Gentleman aware that neither my hon. Friend the Member for Berwick and East Lothian (Mr. Robertson) nor I take any pleasure from the continued action by some fishermen in Scottish ports? Is he further aware that, although we welcome the setting up of the anti-fish dumping committee, we think that the committee is no substitute for Government action to tackle the crisis in the industry? Has he studied the figures published this morning by Associated Fisheries, which detail the effect of the reduced catch on fish processing? How many more hundreds of jobs will be lost in the industry before the Government take action? May we have a statement next week?

§ Mr. Buchanan-Smith
I think that the hon. Gentleman has recognised the substantial aid that the Government have given to the industry. Secondly, the Government have responded immediately to the industry's economic plight. I am aware of the difficulties that are being faced. I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for acknowledging the problem of the fishermen staying in the port. I ask him to realise that it was only on Tuesday that we received the fishermen's final representations. We have agreed to deal with them urgently. It is significant that the leaders of the industry have accepted the Government's assurances.

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. This issue arises again on question No. 4.