HC Deb 22 December 1982 vol 34 cc945-6
53. Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the responsibilities of his Department concerning the application of article 100, relating to fisheries, of the Treaty of Accession of the United Kingdom to the European Economic Community.

Mr. Pym

I have overall responsibility for policy towards the European Community, but matters specifically relating to the common fisheries policy are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Mr. Spearing

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for that reply, but may I remind him of his hope, expressed on Monday to the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs, that the Danes would yesterday agree to the fishing arrangements? As they have not, does he agree that article 100 of the Treaty of Accession, for which he is responsible, makes it clear that if no agreement has been reached—and it has not—regulation 2141 of October 1970 applies, and that that gives the right to the Danes to fish up to the beaches of the United Kingdom?

Mr. Pym

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will be good enough to await the statement to be made by my right hon. Friend.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

As this is a desperately important issue affecting the whole future of the British fishing industry, can my right hon. Friend say precisely what the position will be if the Danes go to the European Court and establish this right, which appears to exist in the Treaty? Will the Government make it clear that in no circumstances will they allow fishing up to our beaches?

Mr. Pym

I agree with my hon. Friend that this is an extremely important matter, but the sensible thing is to ask my hon. Friend to await the statement to be made shortly by my right hon. Friend.