§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will make a statement on the progress of decasualisation of the fishing industry.
§ Mr. Harold Walker, pursuant to the reply [Official Report, 22 March 1979; Vol. 964, c. 741], gave the following information:
The Government are anxious to see more stable conditions of employment for fishermen, and I have participated in discussions between representatives of owners and the union to this end. At a meeting on 19 February, owners and union were able to show me an outline decasualisation scheme to which they had agreed. The details are being filled in in continuing discussions. There are ways in which the Government can help with the implementation of such a scheme and on some points we have already undertaken to provide assistance. We are ready to consider any further requests the industry may decide to make.