HC Deb 28 January 1980 vol 977 cc519-20W
Mr. McQuarrie

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he proposes to take in order to prevent rising unemployment in the fishing industry resulting from the quota position, the price of fish to the fishermen, and the new general levy.

Mr. Younger

Conservation measures such as quotas are designed to safeguard the industry's long-term fishing possibilities and should, therefore, protect employment prospects; fish prices are holding up reasonably well compared to last year; and the proposed increase in the Her Majesty's prisons in Scotland for each year since 1975.

Mr. Rifkind

The information requested, covering both prisons and young offenders institutions, is as follows:

general levyof the White Fish Authority is too small in relation to the value of fish to have any effect on employment.

I am keepjing in close touch with the current difficulties of the fishing industry and am this week meeting representatives of the Scottish Fishermen's Organisation and the Scottish Fishermen's Federation.