Common Fisheries Policy

HC Deb 22 January 1981 vol 997 cc216-7W

4. Mr. Wall

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent talks he has had with representatives of the fishing industry on fishing policy within the European Economic Community.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

We have had discussions with representatives of the fishing industry before, during and since the Council of Fisheries Ministers on 15–17 December 1980.

27. Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the terms offered to the United Kingdom at the last Council of Ministers meeting on fishing are acceptable to the British fishing industry.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland reported to the House on 18 December 1980, it became apparent to the Commission and the Presidency at the meeting of the Fisheries Council on 17 December that the inflexible attitude of one delegation on the question of access would not allow the Commission to put forward generally acceptable proposals. Accordingly, no terms for a revised common fisheries policy were on offer at any stage.