§ 1. Mr. Pollockasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the present stage in the negotiations for a common fisheries policy.
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Alick Buchanan-Smith)I refer my hon. Friend to the statement which my right hon. Friend made to the House on 11 March.
§ Mr. PollockWhile understanding the need for reticence on the part of my hon. Friend at this delicate stage in the negotiations, may I nevertheless ask him to confirm, for the avoidance of doubt, that there is no question of reaching a settlement that would allow foreign vessels to fish right up to our beaches, as the French have recently demanded?
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithI give my hon. Friend that absolute assurance. In any negotiation or in any agreement, we must ensure not only adequate exclusive access for our vessels, but preference beyond that zone of exclusive access.
§ Mr. MasonIs the Minister aware that the present state of the talks is one of deadlock, and that what concerns the House and indeed the industry is not only the point that has just been raised, namely, that pressure is being brought to bear by the French for access to our inshore waters, but that pressure is being brought to bear to get the Canadian cod deal settled with the Germans? Will he give an assurance that at the talks in Maastricht next week the Prime Minister will not trade off any of these matters and that we shall maintain the talks on achieving a common fisheries policy on their merits alone?
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithI assure the right hon. Gentleman that I am aware of all the pressures. I assure him also that there never has been any question of trading fish against any other issue. Fish is important to the United Kingdom and is a matter that must be dealt with on its merits.
§ Mr. SproatMay I ask my hon. Friend whether the alleged dumping of cheap foreign fish was discussed at the latest talks?
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I think that that matter arises on question 3.