Common Fisheries Policy

HC Deb 27 January 1982 vol 16 cc870-1

2. Mr. Myles

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what level of agreement has now been reached in negotiations for a common fisheries policy.

The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. George Younger)

Agreement has been reached on a revised marketing regime, on important areas of the external regime and on a further interim scheme for the construction and modernisation of fishing boats. Agreement in principle has also been reached on a comprehensive range of conservation measures.

Although useful progress has also been made in some other areas, including control and structure, the important issues of access and quotas remain to be resolved. To this end my colleagues and I are pressing for a resumption of the negotiations at the earliest possible date.

Mr. Myles

I know that my right hon. Friend is fighting strongly for those acceptable access and quota arrangements, but will he ensure that any necessary conservation measures are taken after due consultation with the industry so that no undue damage is done? Will he also make a categoric statement that, if no agreement can be reached this year, there will be no fishing up to the beaches after the end of 1982?

Mr. Younger

I assure my hon. Friend that in any conservation measures that are taken we shall do our best to consult the industry beforehand and to take it with us on all points.

I also assure my hon. Friend that our objective is to reache an acceptable common fisheries policy, but if by the end of the year there is no such policy the Government will have to look hard at the interests of British fishermen to consider what should happen thereafter.

Mr. Grimond

I thank the Secretary of State for his final remark that the Government will look carefully at the interests of British fishermen. Will he set a time limit on the negotiations and inform our colleagues that unless agreement on access and quotas is reached by a certain date we shall take our own measures to conserve our fisheries?

Mr. Younger

I appreciate the point that the right hon. Gentleman makes. We have made it clear to our partners in the Community that, as we have been near to agreement, it would be tragic if it were missed at this stage. We shall be pressing as hard as possible to get an agreement as soon as possible

Mr. Donald Stewart

Is the Secretary of State aware that failure to reach agreement means that Common Market countries will have the same rights at the end of this year as our own vessels? Therefore, will the Government make it clear that, failing an acceptable agreement within that time, we shall revert to our rights over a 200-mile limit?

Mr. Younger

As the right hon. Gentleman knows, that is not part of the treaty obligations. I assure him that there are good reasons for the other countries concerned, without exception, to want a common fisheries policy agreed. There is a strong incentive on everyone to try to reach agreement.

Mr. John MacKay

Does my right hon. Friend accept that the best way to achieve our aim on conservation is to proceed with local fishing plans and the licensing of boats that can operate in those areas, with preference being given to boats from the local area?

Mr. Younger

I agree with my hon. Friend. That concept has found favour with the Commission in the past. We have been pressing strongly for such fishing plans, where appropriate, with particular reference to The Hague agreements, which give special preference to local fishing communities that depend on fishing for their living.

Mr. Millan

What are the Government's minimum conditions for an acceptable CFP? Do those conditions still include an exclusive 12-mile limit? What are the Government's views on the 12 to 50 miles zone, or have they abandoned that concept?

Mr. Younger

The Government's objectives in the negotiations have not changed. We intend to proceed with them in close negotiation with the fishing industry at all stages. Our objectives remain to provide for a broadly exclusive 12-mile zone, taking account of some essential historic rights of other countries, and further measures of preference to protect coastal communities that depend heavily on fishing.