§ 7. Mr. John Townendasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the present state of negotiations on the quota of North sea cod to be allocated to British fishermen.
§ Mr. MacGregorThe Commission has proposed that, of the total of North sea cod available to the European Community, 47 per cent. or 105,280 tonnes should be available to the United Kingdom in 1983. This will be considered further by the Council shortly.
§ Mr. TownendIn thanking my hon. Friend for his reply, may I ask him to confirm that, if these proposals are implemented, there will actually be a reduction of about 5 per cent. in the amount of North sea cod available for British fishermen? Does he appreciate that the proposals 691 have caused consternation among the Bridlington fishermen, who depend on this species? Will my hon. Friend ask his right hon. Friend to use his formidable powers of persuasion, which we on the Tory Benches experienced in the last Parliament, to ensure that there is no reduction in the quota of North sea cod for British fishermen in the coming year?
§ Mr. MacGregorI can confirm that this is a small reduction on the 1982 catch, but of course the North sea cod TAC is lower this year than last year. It has to be agreed with Norway. While I fully appreciate and recognise the importance of North sea cod for the industry, we must have regard to conservation, which is in the longterm interests of the industry. In my opinion the United Kingdom quota, at 47 per cent. of EC availability, is a satisfactory percentage for the United Kingdom, in view of our historic record of catches over recent years.
§ Mr. Austin MitchellBearing in mind the overwhelming dependence of the Grimsby fleet on this stock, and the effect that any reductions of catches would have on the earnings of this deserving section of small business, that is, the Grimsby fishing fleet, will the Minister not only oppose any reduction but accelerate the customary midyear transfer of cod from the Norwegian share to the EC share, so that there is no threat to the fishing opportunities of the Grimsby fleet?
§ Mr. MacGregorI recognise the importance of the Grimsby fleet. As the hon. Gentleman will know, we cannot achieve a change in the TAC without the agreement of the Norwegians. I understand that the Norwegian quota is small compared with our own. I shall bear in mind what the hon. Gentleman has said, but I repeat that the total percentage share that we have is satisfactory, and we have to look at conservation reasons rather than other reasons in relation to the TAC each year.
§ Sir Walter CleggIs my hon. Friend aware that there is considerable concern about the policing of these quotas, in view of what the Danes did last year? If we are to have quotas, the only way in which they will work is to have proper policing. Can my hon. Friend reassure me on the matter?
Mr. MacGregor: I entirely agree with my hon. Friend. We have already stressed, and fully accept, the point in relation to the common fisheries policy. My right hon. Friend has already written to the Commissioner about the importance of the matter and the desirability of getting the European inspectorate into place quickly.
§ Sir Peter MillsWill my hon. Friend bear in mind that it is not a question of quotas but of policing, monitoring and bringing to court those who offend in this way? We in the south-west of England are deeply concerned that we are not getting on with this task. I urge my hon. Friend, when he goes back to Brussels, to get on as quickly as possible with the task of monitoring and policing.
§ Mr. MacGregorI assure my hon. Friend that we have already taken the matter fully on board. It is a matter that the industry has pressed with us already at our meetings. As I said, my right hon. Friend has already taken up the matter with the Commissioner. We are urging that the appointment of inspectors be carried out quickly, and we shall continue to watch the situation urgently.