§ The Earl of KINNOULLMy 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 what measures they will introduce in order to tighten up the regulations governing the conservation of British fish stocks; and what co-operation they are receiving from their EEC partners.
§ Lord SANDYSMy Lords, a comprehensive régime of conservation measures is in force within British fishery limits and these are strictly enforced on vessels of all nationalities. Progress is being made on a draft Community regulation setting common standards of control on fishing activities.
§ The Earl of KINNOULLMy Lords while thanking my noble friend for that Answer, may I ask whether he can say whether the Government are satisfied that the present conservation measures within the EEC are being observed by members, and how we know that the total allowable catches are not being exceeded?
§ Lord SANDYSMy Lords, so far as the total allowable catches are concerned, the noble Lord may be aware of the Statement made by my right honourable friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in another place on the 18th June so far as prosecution is concerned, and I draw his attention to what the Minister said in a long series of exchanges in that regard.
Lord CAMPBELL of CROYMy Lords, is my noble friend aware that, although two and a half years are still available for the new EEC common 1312 fisheries policy to be negotiated, it would help British fishermen if the present uncertainty could be removed by early agreement on a satisfactory solution? And are the Government now considering the most immediate and urgent problem, which is that of cheap imports of fish from foreign fleets which have enjoyed fuel or other subsidies?
§ Lord SANDYSMy Lords, the Government are indeed aware of the point to which my noble friend has drawn your Lordships' attention. So far as the imports are concerned, I am afraid I cannot give an immediate statement on that at the present time.
§ Lord HARMAR-NICHOLLSMy Lords, is my noble friend aware, moving away from the detail of his reply, that there is some concern growing about the statements of the President of France because, taking into account the nearness of the election in that country, it could be interpreted as indicating that once the French election is out of the way he will use this subject as a bargaining counter to avoid implementing to the full the settlement on the British contribution? It could well be that a settlement on satisfactory terms ought to be arrived at before that election to avoid the possibility of that retreat on the part of the EEC.
§ Lord SANDYSMy Lords, I should like to reject straight away the linking of any affairs in that connection with the fisheries policy. I would draw the attention of my noble friend once more to what my right honourable friend the Minister, Mr. Walker, said in another place—and I quote his words:
No such threats have been made to the British Government. No such threats were made to me at the Fisheries Council, and no such threats were made at the bilateral meetings with either of the countries concerned."—[Official Report, Commons. 18/6/80; col. 1578.]
§ I think that that statement covers the matter.
§ Lord LOVATMy Lords, to make a specific point, is the noble Lord aware that herring are freely sold up and down the whole of the Western Highlands, although catching them is prohibited? These are usually sold through foreign vessels. Would it not be a very good idea to make 1313 the Inner Minch a part of the 12-mile limit, thereby making the West Coast of the Outer Minches the fishing limits of the area, as in fact has been done in Orkney?
§ Lord SANDYSMy Lords, while negotiations are still in hand, I cannot comment on the precise suggestion made by my noble friend. However, I will certainly pass the suggestion on to my right honourable friend, who no doubt is already aware of it.
§ The Earl of KINNOULLMy Lords, can my noble friend say whether the Government are considering, or would consider, paying minimum grants to fish farmers in order that they may qualify for the EEC grants?
§ Lord SANDYSMy Lords, although this is really outside the terms of the Question, I am happy to reply to my noble friend that this matter is under consideration in the context of a wider view of our policy on fish farming.
§ Lord LEATHERLANDMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that salmon is now between £3 and £4 a pound and, as one who likes it, may I ask whether he can do anything to bring down the price?
§ Lord SANDYSMy Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Leatherland, no doubt purchases his salmon at regular intervals, but I am afraid I cannot comment on the situation at the moment. However, as my right honourable friend the Minister is responsible for food among his other responsibilities, I will draw his attention to this point.