HC Deb 20 January 1983 vol 35 cc462-3
2. Mr. Strang

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will report on his inquiries into the reduction of the size of the proposed European Community fisheries inspectorate.

The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Alick Buchanan-Smith)

Mr. Holden, head of the Commission's fisheries enforcement unit, has told my right hon. Friend and has recently confirmed to my officials that the staff resources allocated to him are what he has requested and are adequate for their task.

Mr. Strang

As the conservation of stocks must be the fundamental objective of any common fisheries policy, what confidence can we have in the EC's ability to run such a policy if it is prepared to halve the inspectorate before it gets off the ground? Have the Government reversed those proposed cuts in the inspectorate?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

The hon. Gentleman misunderstands the purpose of the inspectorate. A much larger inspectorate was envisaged when it was thought that it would operate at national as well as international level. With the support of the House, we have successfully negotiated that national enforcement should be our responsibility. Therefore, a relatively smaller task force is needed for international supervision.

Mr. Donald Stewart

Does the right hon. Gentleman accept that, far from the inspectorate being reduced, it should be substantially increased in view of past well substantiated instances of continental vessels breaking all the agreements and regulations? If the protection fleet is not increased, the fishing community will have an even shorter future than appears at present.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

The right hon. Gentleman does not appear to understand the situation. There is no inspectorate at the moment, and that is one of the basic problems. I am surprised that the right hon. Gentleman does not welcome the inspectorate.

Mr. McQuarrie

I agree with my right hon. Friend's remarks about the additional inspectorate, but, given the national inspectorate and the additional inspectors, can he give an assurance that adequate supervision of British waters will be fully secured?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for those remarks. I pay tribute to those who work in our protection fleets and aircraft. Recent weeks have shown the effectiveness of their coverage. If there is no adequate supervision at international level, my right hon. Friend and I will press for an increase in resources. However, let us get the inspectorate going, as it is something that we have not had before.

Mr. Buchan

Is the Minister aware that this morning Madame Simone Veil informed the Legal Affairs Committee that the European Parliament had written to the British Government reminding them, in the case of Captain Kent Kirk, that all Members of the European Parliament are entitled to immunities and privileges under the protocols of the treaty? Have the Government yet received that information and have they responded to it? Will the right hon. Gentleman rebuff such an intolerable attempt to interfere in British legal procedures?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

Matters speak for themselves. The way in which our protection forces and courts have responded speaks for itself.

Mr. Buchan

With respect, that does not answer the question. Until today the British legal processes spoke for themselves. What will the Government do to reject any attempt to interfere in those legal processes?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

The hon. Gentleman apparently regrets the way in which we dealt with the breaking of our law. If he wishes to ask questions about our processes of law, he should address them to my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General.