HC Deb 19 March 1981 vol 1 cc412-4
3. Mr. Wall

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a further statement on developments in the common fisheries policy and on the dumping of foreign fish in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

On the first part of the question, I refer my hon. Friend to the statement which my right hon. Friend made to the House on 11 March. The team of officials and industry representatives which is investigating the allegations of dumping has made good progress, but has not yet completed its work.

Mr. Wall

I thank my hon. Friend for standing firm against both the French and the Germans. Is he aware that fish merchants are complaining about a lack of fresh fish and that trawlermen are complaining that the prices are too low? How will he reconcile those two points of view before reaching agreement on a common fisheries policy?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

It is precisely because of our concern over the marketing of fish that my right hon. Friend has asked his marketing advisers to look into the whole question of marketing. That they are now doing, and that is in addition to the work of the team of officials who are investigating the dumping of imports. Therefore, work is very much in hand on both those matters.

Mr. Grimond

Have the Government received any fresh information from the Dutch Government about their inquiry into the possible illegal export of fish from Holland to this country?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

We have been in touch with the Dutch Government. As I am sure the right hon. Gentleman will have noticed from press reports, the main problems about fish coming from Holland directly relate to the difference in the currencies between the two countries. That, more than anything else is causing these imports.

Mr. Sproat

In view of the continuing and severe problems caused to the British fishing industry because of the dumping of cheap foreign fish, when does my hon. Friend hope to come forward with a financial aid package to the industry? Is the industry right in thinking that he is considering providing about £28 million?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

I ask my right hon. Friend to have patience. As the industry knows, the Government understand its needs and have already shown by what they did last year that where action is needed they are prepared to take it. I must ask my hon. Friend to wait a little longer.

Mr. James Lamond

If the use of the word "dumping" in the question suggests that the fish are cheap, will the Minister inform consumers at which retail outlets they can buy that cheap fish?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

I refer the hon. Gentleman to that body for which I know he has a great respect, the White Fish Authority, whose survey showed that there had been a reduction in the retail price of fish. I believe that that has been overlooked by those who are seeking to make headlines.

Mr. Lang

In his negotiations, will my hon. Friend bear in mind the particular problems facing the shellfish industry, which is an important industry in Kirkcudbright in my constituency?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

I confirm that the shellfish industry is not only important to Kirkcudbright, but is an important source of foreign earnings. It is an industry with an extremely good export record. I assure my hon. Friend that, in the interests of the United Kingdom as a whole, I shall do all that I can for that section of the industry.

Mr. Mason

May I take it that the inquiry taking place by the team of officials and industry representatives into the dumping of cheap fish will be carried on separately from the CFP talks, and that it will not be held up until the outcome of those talks? If that is so, when are we likely to know the outcome of the discussions with the industry?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

The discussions with the industry about imports are continuing. A meeting was held yesterday at which I understand good progress was made. The two sides hope to meet again in the near future. I cannot anticipate the outcome. As to the broader meetings with the industry about financial aid, we shall come forward with proposals as soon as we are ready to do so.