§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) in the light of the widespread concern in the fishing industry at the manner in which the United Kingdom mackerel licence has been decided, if he will investigate the matter with a view to revising the operation as quickly as possible,
(2) what representations he has received from the representatives of the fish processing industry on the serious problems which will arise in that industry due to the new United Kingdom mackerel licence operations which will further reduce the available stocks to this industry and create a considerable threat to thousands of jobs in East Aberdeenshire; and if he will investigate this situation with a view to averting a crisis in the industry.
§ Mr. YoungerAll sectors of the fishing industry were fully consulted about the licensing arrangements for the West of Scotland mackerel fishery. There have so far been no particular difficulties in the fishery and I do not, in the circumstances, consider that there is any need to make changes in the licensing conditions. Although representations were received initially from the processing industry, which was concerned about the availability of supplies for its purposes, disposals to the home market have been adequate and substantially in excess of such disposals at the corresponding stage of last year's fishery.