§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in negotiations on the common fisheries policy, he is maintaining his predecessor's stand of refusing to agree to any settlement in different sections, such as quotas, conservation, and so on, in advance of the total package.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe Government continue to seek agreement on a revised common fishery policy which meets the Government's stated requirements on all aspects. I am in close touch with the544W industry and am aware of the priority it attaches to effective conservation as part of a satisfactory overall settlement. The Government are accordingly determined to ensure that whilst negotiations continue towards an overall settlement developments within the Community do not result in a reduction in the protection given to fish stocks by current United Kingdom conservation measures.