asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in view of the unsatisfactory arrangements negotiated by the EEC for access by British boats to the blue whiting stocks in Faroese waters, if he will now insist on making bilateral arrangements with the Faroes in future and inform the Commission accordingly; and if he will make a statement.

I have no reason to think that the extent of fishing opportunities being offered by the Faroese in their waters, particularly for the main species in which we are interested, would have been greater under bilateral arrangements.