§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he has studied the statement issued by the Scottish White Fish Producers Association and the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen's Association dated 10 February, a copy of which has been sent to him, concerning the lack of consultation before decisions were taken which affected the Scottish fishing industry; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will make it his practice to consult the Scottish White Fish and Pelagic Associations on any negotiations at United Kingdom or European Economic Community level which have a bearing on the fishing operations and future financial position of the Scottish fishing industry;
(3) whether the Canadian agreement on cod imports into the United Kingdom will affect the European agriculture guidance and guarantee scheme for 1982 in so far as it affects the Scottish fishing industry; and if he will make a statement;
(4) what discussions were held between Her Majesty's Government and the Scottish White Fish Producers Association and the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen's Association on the decision to cut mackerel export refunds by 10 per cent.; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MacKayMy right hon. Friend has seen reports of the statement issued by the Scottish White Fish Producers Association and the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen's Association on 10 February.
My right hon. Friend cannot accept the contention that the industry was not consulted about the United Kingdom allocations of tariff-reduced imports of cod and cod fillets under the EC-Canada agreement or the Council declaration on mackerel export restitutions. Information on the former was given to the Scottish Fishermen's Federation's delegation at the October 1982 Council, and at the December Council agreement on the EC-Canada arrangements unblocked the 1982 interim structure scheme, which provides for grants from Community funds for the construction of fishing vessels and is of considerable interest and potential benefit to Scottish fishermen. The terms of the Council declarations on mackerel export restitutions and other matters were made known to the delegation at the January 1983 Council before my right hon. Friends, with the agreement of the industry's representatives, accepted the terms of the common fisheries policy.
My right hon. Friend has enjoyed excellent relations with the fishing industry and particularly with the Scottish 222W Fishermen's Federation, of which the Scottish White Fish Producers Association and the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen's Association are members. He looks forward to continuing good relations and he will, as in the past, consult the federation on all major topics affecting Scottish fishermen.
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will consult representatives of the fishing industry before the further 10 per cent. reduction takes place on mackerel export refunds on 16 May; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if, in view of the fact that the 10 per cent. reduction in the mackerel export refunds will place United Kingdom buyers in a non-competitive position with the Eastern bloc exporters, he will have further discussions with the European Community Commission to seek to protect the interests of the Scottish fishing industry; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MacKayThe Commission's declaration that the export refunds for mackerel would be reduced by 10 per cent. in February and May was noted by the Council of Ministers in January in the context of the settlement of the common fisheries policy. The February cut has already been agreed by the management committee. The Commission will be putting forward its proposal for the May cut in due course and my right hon. Friend will ensure that the industry is kept fully informed of developments. The Council of Ministers also noted the Commission's intention to keep the situation under review in the light of market conditions.