HC Deb 28 July 1980 vol 989 cc572-4W
Mr. McQuarrie

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in view of the fact that fish is being imported into the United Kingdom from Holland by container vehicles and offered at prices lower than the market prices at the quayside for fish caught by British fishermen, what steps he proposes to take in order to safeguard the livelihood of the members of the fishing industry.

Mr. Younger

There is no action that can be taken to interfere with normal trading in fish products with the Netherlands or with any other EC Member State. In the case of imports from third countries we have already successfully argued within the Community for increases in tariff levels and reference prices. I am confident that the Commission will take steps to ensure that the new reference prices are respected. The Government are meantime urgently considering the fishing industry's request for further aid.

Mr. McQuarrie

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what further progress has been made regarding the application by the Scottish Fishermen's Federation for further aid in order to prevent the extinction of the industry; and if he will make a statement; (2) if he will bring forward proposals to support the Scottish fishing industry, in view of the fact that many boats have now been laid up as a result of the very low prices being offered for landed fish.

Mr. Younger

Fisheries Ministers are considering urgently the case for further aid which had been put to us by the Scottish Fishermen's Federation and other organisations on behalf of the fishing industry. We hope to announce a decision very soon.

Mr. McQuarrie

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the figures of all fish which was withdrawn from sale at the markets in Peterhead and Fraserburgh during the month of June 1980; what proportion was sold for fish-meal; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Younger

The total amount of fish of all species withdrawn from the human consumption market at Peterhead and Fraserburgh during June 1980 because of failure to reach the minimum price was 210 tonnes, all of which was sent for fish-meal. This amount is about 2 per cent. by weight of total landings at the two ports during the same month.

Mr. McQuarrie

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to ensure that the market prices at the quaysides of Peterhead and Fraserburgh are realistic for each of the species offered for sale; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Younger

I am aware of the concern of fishermen in this matter, but market prices are determined by market forces and I have no powers to regulate their level. Withdrawal—or minimum—prices are fixed annually by the EC Commission after consultation with Member States for the major species of fish and it is also open to producer organisations to set their own autonomous withdrawal prices, as most producer organisations have done.

Mr. McQuarrie

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from the Scottish Fishermen's Federation regarding additional aid for the 80 new members of that organisation to maintain a minimum price guarantee at the quayside sales; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Younger

The Scottish Fishermen's Organisation wrote to me on 18 July about the distribution of the funds set aside under the fish producers' organisations subsidy scheme to take account of newly-formed organisations and of increases in the membership of existing organisations between 1 January and 30 June 1980. The reserve is for the United Kingdom as a whole and will be allocated as soon as all the organisations have submitted the necessary information.

Mr. McQuarrie

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions his Agriculture and Fisheries Department has had with the buyers and the fishermen at the ports of Peterhead and Fraserburgh concerning the fact that the majority of the seagoing vessels are being tied up at these ports due to the unsatisfactory prices being offered to the fishermen for landed fish.

Mr. Younger

My Department's Sea Fisheries Inspectorate is in close touch with developments at the ports and keeps me informed of the position.