§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he proposes to see that aid due to the fishing industry under the Government's emergency aid scheme is paid on time; and whether he will consider alternative arrangements where aid is affected by industrial action to avoid hardship to fishermen, share fishermen and small owners.
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§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithPayments under the fishing vessel temporary support scheme 1981, which are being delayed as a result of industrial action, will be made as soon as circumstances permit. Meanwhile it is regretted that no general provision for payment in cases of hardship can be envisaged, although my Department is ready to assist fishermen in individual cases of particular difficulty by certifying, where appropriate, that payments of specified amounts are due to them.