§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has for new operating aid for the British fishing industry.
§ Mr. MacGregorWe introduced aid under the Community measures for restructuring the fishing fleet just before Christmas — indeed, we were the first member state to do so. So far, aid to the value of £10.1 million has been applied for. In view of this, we have no proposals for a new operating aid.
§ Mr. MitchellIs the Minister aware that his answer will be viewed with great despair by a badly battered English fishing industry? It means that the industry will have no help in its transition to the more limited opportunities under the common fisheries policy. It means that the English and Scottish fishing industries are being asked to contend with competitors who receive operating aid. The best example is the 21 centimes per litre fuel subsidy paid by the French. The Government are taxing the industry heavily through dock charges that are much higher than those of our competitors, as, indeed, are port charges, and are not helping them to survive those charges.
§ Mr. MacGregorI discussed all these matters fairly recently with representatives of the Grimsby inshore fleet and with the hon. Member. I think he knows that operating aid has been declared illegal within Community law. If we introduced one today, we would be asked to remove it immediately. I am particularly aware that the French have not yet withdrawn their fuel subsidy as requested by the Commission, and we shall continue to pursue that matter through the Commission. I hope the hon. Gentleman will recognise that the fact that we have a common fisheries policy in being enables the fleet to plan ahead properly, and the fact that we were the first member state to introduce very substantial aids for restructuring the fleet will greatly help with its problems.