HL Deb 09 February 1971 vol 315 cc9-12
LORD BOOTHBY

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in the negotiations for our entry into the Common Market, they will take good care to protect the interests of the inshore fishing fleets of the United Kingdom.]

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, in the negotiations with the E.E.C., Her Majesty's Government have reserved their position on the common fisheries policy of the Community. The detailed national and local implications of the policy, including its implications for all sections of the British fishing industry, are now under careful examination.

LORD BOOTHBY

My Lords, arising out of that Answer, may I ask the noble Earl whether Her Majesty's Government realise that the new fishery regulations of the Common Market, which would allow Continental trawlers to fish right up to our beaches, would inevitably ruin the British inshore fishing industry if applied to this country, especially in Scotland, the West Country and the Isle of Man? Does the noble Earl not agree that this is far too heavy a price to pay for entry into the Common Market and, as such, is quite unacceptable; and can he give an assurance that our present fishery limits will be maintained at all costs by our negotiators in Brussels?

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, Her Majesty's Government are fully aware of the point which the noble Lord, Lord Boothby, has made, and I think it is only fair to say that at the moment, although they have committed themselves to the common fisheries policy, all the details are not yet clear. It is for this: reason, among others, that Her Majesty's Government have fully reserved their position with regard to the fishing.

LORD DERWENT

My Lords, can my noble friend say whether Her Majesty's Government, in these negotiations about fishing, are including the question of shellfish, and particularly of lobsters, which are now forming a growing export trade for this country?

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, I will certainly pass on to my right honourable friend the remarks which my noble friend has made about the shellfish industry of this country.

LORD SHINWELL

My Lords, how does the noble Earl justify the Answer he gave to the original Question, in view of the clause in the Treaty of Rome which provides, without any qualification or reservation, for the free movement of labour? Does not the content of that clause impinge on British fishing rights? Also, is it not singular that the noble Lord, Lord Boothby, who for many years has been one of the most ardent advocates of British entry into the Common Market, is now beginning to realise that it is not all "beer and skittles"?

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Shinwell, knows very well that in all these negotiations there are bound to be problems, and that is the reason why the negotiations are taking place. I think it is fair to remind the noble Lord that my right honourable friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food said in the House of Commons that he was aware of the extreme importance which the Government and the House attached to satisfaction on this vital issue with regard to fishing. It is for this reason that the Government have reserved their position, in order that negotiations can be fully entered into.

LORD SHINWELL

My Lords, is not the noble Earl aware that it is all very well to negotiate, but surely negotiations are inhibited by the clear, rigid and inflexible content of the clauses in the Treaty of Rome? How does he overcome that difficulty?

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, I think if the noble Lord studies the Common business policy he will find that they are not clear and rigid and inflexible.

LORD GLADWYN

My Lords, is it not the case that if Norway came into the Common Market with us the Scottish fishermen would then be able to fish all the territorial waters of Norway, to their infinite satisfaction?

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, I think the noble Lord is perfectly right in what he says.

LORD HOY

My Lords, is the noble Earl aware that that would not be very great compensation to inshore fishermen? Is he further aware that inshore fishing is the livelihood of many parts of our coastline, not only in Scotland but in England as well? Indeed, in the South West there is considerable dependency on the shellfish industry, and if this is lost then people in these areas will simply be unemployed.

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, I am fully aware of the observations which the noble Lord, Lord Hoy, has made, and I would remind him of something—because these words will carry far more strength than ever mine would—namely, that the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food said that he could assure the House that the Government had no intention of allowing our inshore waters to be raped.

LORD BOOTHBY

My Lords, while thanking the noble Earl for that last reply, may I ask him, arising out of the question asked by the noble Lord, Lord Gladwyn, whether he is aware that we are not interested in inshore fishing in Norwegian waters? We are interested in Norwegian fishing in our own inshore waters, which is much more important. Will he at least give an assurance that our negotiators in Brussels will be informed of the discussion we have had in this House to-day?

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, I will certainly give the noble Lord that assurance. I would merely say to him that he may not be interested in our people fishing in Norwegian waters but there may be others who are.

LORD BOOTHBY

No: nobody.

EARL FERRERS

However, I will certainly pass on his remarks.