HC Deb 18 July 1991 vol 195 cc488-90
8. Mrs. Margaret Ewing

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received from representatives of the fishing industry on the question of a decommissioning scheme.

Mr. Curry

I have made it clear that any decommissioning scheme must be part of an effective package of measures to conserve fish stocks and control fishery effort.

Mrs. Ewing

Does the Minister accept in principle the need for a decommissioning scheme? If so, is he prepared to sit down with representatives of the Scottish fishing industry and, instead of passing the buck directly to them, discuss in detail the relative contributions that will be made by the Government, the European Community and the industry to a conservation package which would have the confidence of the industry, rather than the present arrangement of the eight-day tie-up, which puts lives and livelihoods at risk?

Mr. Curry

We are always ready to sit down with the representatives of all United Kingdom industries, as we have demonstrated frequently in the past. We shall continue to do so.

Mr. Harris

Although I recognise the difficulties and pitfalls of a decommissioning scheme, will my hon. Friend nevertheless accept that the overwhelming desire of all hon. Members who represent fishing constituencies is that the Government should consider seriously the possibility of just such a scheme? Will my hon. Friend consider with great care the proposals put to the Government by the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations, because many of us believe that at least the outline of such a package is contained in that scheme?

Mr. Curry

Decommissioning as the sole response to the problem of overcapacity is something which we cannot accept. However, we can accept that decommissioning as part of a sensible package of effective control may have a role. Therefore, we shall discuss it with all aspects of the industry. I frequently meet representatives of the NFFO—as it happens, I met them this morning to discuss a different matter. We met the Scottish Fishermen's Federation in Brussels early last week in the margins of the Council. I shall continue to have the closest contact with those organisations and also with those representing other parts of the United Kingdom.

Mr. Robert Hughes

Does the Minister recollect that only a few moments ago the Secretary of State was ranting and railing at the House, telling us that we must accept all European solutions? As there is a European solution with decommissioning, as there is access to European Community money and given the fact that he has been much more conciliatory today, will he now push strongly in his discussions with the various bodies for a proper decommissioning scheme as part of the conservation measures? We would all welcome that.

Mr. Curry

The problem with the European scheme is that it regards decommissioning as being isolated from other conservation measures. I have made it clear that that is not a sensible approach, but we shall certainly consider it in the context of a more thorough approach to conservation. Certainly, we hope to advance that conservation matter at the next Fisheries Council in October. I repeat my promise to remain in contact with all the organisations involved.

Mr. Bellingham

The Minister will be aware that the Wash shell fishery in my constituency has its own peculiar problems, and the fishermen there are extremely grateful that he took time off last Friday to visit them. Does he believe that the decommissioning scheme that is being talked of could have any relevance for that fishery?

Mr. Curry

Whatever scheme we introduced would be extendable to all British fisheries. We could not possibly produce a scheme that would apply only to a small sector of the industry. I realise that my hon. Friend's fishery is a special case, as it is basically a shellfish fishery, but we would not consider excluding it.

Mr. Morley

We welcome the Government's partial U-turn: we are glad that they are moving towards a decommissioning scheme. Is the Minister aware, however, that this week 900 jobs were lost in a fish processing factory in Grimsby? One of the main reasons for that—apart from the economic recession that the Government have caused—is that the lack of a coherent policy for the fishing industry has caused problems with the price and supply of fish.

Will the Minister embark on talks on decommissioning, as part of a package to ensure that we have a stable and sustainable fishing industry? How much longer must we wait for a decommissioning scheme and how many more jobs must be lost before the Minister comes up with one?

Mr. Curry

We all regret the closure of the Findus factory and the consequent job losses. The problem is that there are not enough fish. To what extent would the hon. Gentleman be willing to liberalise imports to ensure increased supplies for the processing sector? That is an important question.