HC Deb 28 March 1977 vol 929 c22W
Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will seek a meeting with the Scottish representatives of the British Fish Federation regarding the latest situation in the negotiations with the Faroes.

Mr. Hugh D. Brown

The Scottish representatives of the British Fishing Federation have requested a meeting to discuss the situation at Faroe and I intend to meet them shortly.

Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the latest situation in the negotiations with the Faroes.

Mr. Millan

On 9th March the Faroese authorities notified the EEC Commission of temporary measures which they intended introducing for the period from 15th March to 30th April of this year restricting fishing for cod and haddock by foreign vessels in their waters. Following strong representations by the United Kingdom Government consultations took place with the Faroese authorities which resulted in modifications to their original proposals and a delay in their implementation until 22nd March.

I am very concerned about the damaging effect that these temporary proposals will have on traditional fishing by United Kingdom and particularly Scottish boats at Faroe. We have therefore insisted that the earliest possible start is made to the negotiations between the Community and the Faroese on the arrangements for fishing in these waters for the remainder of 1977. The Faroese are heavily dependent on access to United Kingdom waters and we are determined to take whatever appropriate action is necessary to safeguard our fishing industry's interests at Faroe.