Common Market (Fishing Industry)
36.
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what study he has made of the effect which Great Britain's entry into the Common Market would have upon the existing international agreements, the conflict of interests relating to fishing grounds and territorial waters and the catching and sale of fish by British fishing vessels.
The United Kingdom and the Common Market countries bordering the North Sea are all parties to existing Conventions dealing with such matters as fishery limits, the conduct of fishing operations, and conservation in this area. British entry into the Common Market would not affect these Conventions. I understand that the fisheries policy of the Common Market countries has not yet been settled, but they are substantial importers of fish and our exports might be expected to benefit accordingly if we entered.
Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the fishing industry has been thrown into chaos and disaster by the Government uncertainty on such matters as the Common Market, the conflict over territorial waters and farcical and insultingly inadequate subsidies? Will he state in detail whether he expects that entry into the Common Market will affect the fortunes of the fishing industry beneficially?
I am afraid that I cannot answer that. Like all other aspects, the fortunes of the fishing industry would be a matter for negotiation.
Would not the Minister agree that the more he studies this proposal for the United Kingdom to enter the Common Market, the mare convinced he is that it is just utter nonsense?
No, Sir.
Anglo-Soviet Fisheries Agreement, 1956
37.
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the effect and consequences to the British fishing industry of the denunciation by the Soviet Government of the Anglo-Soviet Fisheries Agreement of 1956.
The effect of the denunciation is that after 12th March, 1962, British vessels would lose their right under the Agreement to fish up to three miles from the shore in two areas off the North Russian coast. This would involve their exclusion from a small but useful plaice fishery.
Does the Minister realise that this is another body blow at the British fishing industry? Will he state what plans he has to substitute some benefits to the fishing industry for the losses incurred by the denunciation of this agreement?
We are in touch with the Soviet Government, and we hope that they will be willing to discuss the situation with us.
Forestry, Northumberland (Consultative Committee)
38.
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now state the composition of the Forestry Inquiry Committee; when it commenced its work; and when he expects its report.
I imagine the hon. Gentleman is referring to a Consultative Committee for the Northumberland Forest Villages.
In my reply to my hon. Friend, the Member for Hexham (Mr. Speir) of 18th May, I said that this Committee had been set up. I must apologise for the fact that this was not correct. The position is that the formation of the Committee on the lines I described had been agreed by all sides, but the details of the constitution and terms of reference are still being discussed with the local union representatives. I hope that these will be agreed at a meeting which is taking place tomorrow, so that the Committee can be constituted. The Committee is intended to provide a continuing means of consultation between the Commission and its employees in the area on local problems. It is not a Committee of Inquiry and will not be charged with the duty of reporting.Barley
39.
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what will be the cost to the Exchequer of supporting the price of barley during the current financial year.
The original estimate of the cost of the barley guarantee in the financial year 1961–62 was £37·8 million. This covers the final payments on the 1960 crop and the advance payments on the 1961 crop. The recent fall in market prices affected only late sales from the 1960 crop and so will not greatly affect the forthcoming final payment on that crop. The advance payment on the 1961 crop cannot yet be determined, but I do not at this point of time expect the cost of the barley guarantee for the current financial year to be greater than was originally estimated.
Is my right hon. Friend aware that that last piece of information is welcome? However, will he bear in mind that the recent massive influx of barley into this country has done a great deal to discredit the efficacy of the present anti-dumping policy? Will he ensure that, if the estimates prove larger than he thinks, it will not be attributed as barley subsidies to farmers?
With regard to antidumping legislation, I think that my hon. Friend will be aware that in this instance there were less than three weeks between the application being put in by the National Farmers' Union and the decision being taken by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.