HC Deb 05 December 1974 vol 882 cc551-3W
35. Mr. Wall

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the progress of his consideration of the provision of operating subsidies for British fishing vessels.

36. Mr. McNamara

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the progress of his consideration of the application of the British fishing industry for a subsidy.

53. Mr. Prescott

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the application of the British Trawler-Federation for a fishing subsidy.

Mr. Bishop

This matter is under active consideration, but I have nothing to add to my reply of 7th November to the hon. Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall).—[Vol. 880, c. 1232–3.]

62. Mr. Cormack

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to safeguard the future of the fishing industry in view of the difficulties created by the present oil shortage.

Mr. Bishop

The major fuel price increases occurred 12 months ago but form just one element in the cost structure. As I said in my reply of 7th November—[Vol. 880, c. 1232–1233]— to the hon. Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall) we are currently considering an application for the grant of some form of subsidy.

64. Mr. James Johnson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what forecasts he has received from the British Trawler Federation of the estimated operating deficits of the fishing industry for the next year; and whether he will make a statement on the stage of his consideration concerning its application for a subsidy.

Mr. Bishop

I cannot yet add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member on 7th November.—[Vol. 880, c. 191–2.]

Mr. Trotter

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what Government aid is available to the fishing industry in Great Britain; how such aid compares with that available in other European countries; and whether the Government propose to increase their aid to the industry.

Mr. Bishop

Government aid to the fishing industry in Great Britain is given directly by means of grants and loans for the construction and improvement of fishing vessels and indirectly by such means as improvement grants for fisheries harbours. The industry also benefits from the fiscal and regional provisions more generally available.

No direct comparison with aids available in other European countries is possible as disproportionate time and effort would be needed to identify such aids with accuracy and to compile a comprehensive list.

An application for an operating subsidy from one of the industry's associations is currently under consideration.