§ Mr. Sproatasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under what international trade agreement or European Economic Community regulation the United Kingdom is prevented from imposing import tariffs upon, or banning, in whole or in part, the import of foreign-caught fish where those foreign countries are subsidising their own fishing industries to such an extent or in such a manner, as to make the fish caught by their fleets a matter of unfair 655W competition, when sold in British markets, under the terms of whatever relevant international agreements, or EEC regulation; and if he will set out the position with specific application to, respectively, France, Holland, Denmark. West Germany, Norway, Iceland and Canada.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithTrade between member States of the European Community is governed by the provisions of the Treaty of Rome, which prohibit quantitative restrictions or tariffs on imports from other member States. Trade with Norway, Iceland and Canada is governed by the provisions of the agreements made between the Community and those countries.
§ Mr. Sproatasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now pay a visit to Aberdeen and the other fishing ports in Scotland, to explain to representatives of the fishing industry his policy on the problem of imports of cheap foreign-caught fish.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithTogether with my right hon. Friends the Minister and the Secretary of State for Scotland and my noble Friend the Minister of State, Scottish Office, I met representatives of all sectors of the United Kingdom fishing industry on 13 May. The discussion was a full one and covered the level of imports and prices. We have offered to hold a further meeting in July.
Last week, both my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and my noble Friend the Minister of State, Scottish Office have visited fishing ports in North-East Scotland and have had a number of useful meetings with representatives of the industry to discuss these matters.