§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from Scottish fishing organisations about the long-term viability of herring and other traditional fishings; and what policy initiatives he proposes to safeguard the future of the Scottish fishing industry.
§ Mr. William RossThe Scottish fishing industry organisations have stressed their anxieties about the future of the industry in the light of the overfishing of stocks through increased foreign fishing, which threatens the future of the industry. I am fully aware of the seriousness of these issues. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and I are meeting representatives of the204W British industry on 23rd October to discuss these and other questions. The solutions need to be sought through international agreement on fishery limits and conservation arrangements and through the review of the common fisheries policy of the EEC.
§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to draw the attention of the appropriate authority to the need for fundamental changes in the common fisheries policy of the EEC, especially in view of the anxiety felt by the Scottish inshore fleet over the common access aspects of the policy.
§ Mr. William RossI fully appreciate the anxiety of the fishing industry on this crucial issue. In April this year my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State with responsibility for agriculture and fisheries accompanied my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he gained the agreement of his colleagues in the EEC Council of Ministers to a reappraisal of the CFP in the light of likely changes in international law. The EEC Commission is expected to produce proposals shortly which are to serve as the basis for further discussions in which, of course, Scottish Ministers and officials will play a full part.