1471
The Fishing Industry:
[LORDS]
[Lord Trefgarne.] ever, as regards the extension of the electoral arrangements, these proposals do, of course, provide for such an extension in the new territories.
Lord BROCKWAY: My Lords, will the Government take a longer view of this matter? Is it not the case that before many years have passed China will probably take over Hong Kong? Would it not be an excellent example to Com- munist China if we had full democracy in Hong Kong not only in the urban council but by the establishment of a legislative assembly?
Lord TREFGARNE: My Lords, I know of no basis for the assertion that China will take over Hong Kong. The lease has many years to run, and in any event I imagine that the arrangements will be re-negotiated long before it expires.
Lord LEE of NEWTON: My Lords, in view of the great change of attitude of the Peking Government, does the noble Lord agree that they may be looking at the position of Hong Kong in the longer term and that they will agree to a greater amount of election rather than appoint-
ment of the council?
Lord TREFGARNE: My Lords, as I have said, I cannot forecast what attitude the Peking Government will take in this But it is certainly the case that China derives a good deal of benefit from the existence of Hong Kong in its present form.
matter.
Lord SEGAL: My Lords, does not Hong Kong as it is today already present an excellent example for Communist China and any other territory in the
Far East to follow?
Lord TREFGARNE: My Lords, I am not quite sure to what sort of example the noble Lord is referring, but certainly it is a splendid example of the free enter- prise system at its best.
THE FISHING INDUSTRY:
PROTECTIVE MEASURES.
2.43 p.m.
Lord, BOOTHBY My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
Protective Meyaires Megaures The Question was as follows:
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To ask Her Majesty's Governmen whether, now that the British long- distance fshing industry is nearly dead, they can give an assurance that they are determined to protect the vital interests of our inshore fishing industry by limiting imports of cheap subsidised fish, and by ensuring the conservation of our breeding grounds, if necessary by means of an extension of fishery limits in certain areas.
on
The MINISTER of STATE, MINISTRY of AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES and FOOD (Earl Ferrers): My Lords, the Government's objective is to secure a satisfactory outcome to the negotiations on the Common Fisheries Policy, which must include appropriate measures conservation. We are, of course, aware that the Ashing industry has been facing very real problems because of increased costs and weak markets. We have introduced a programme of temporary additional aid and pressed for changes in the tariffs which are applied to certain imports from outside the Community. Fisheries Ministers will be meeting of the representatives of all sectors
reassess the industry on 3rd July to
situation.
Lord BOOTHBY: My Lords, arising out of that Answer, do Her Majesty's that the present Government realise import of cheap, subsidised foreign fish into this country requires immediate action on the part of Her Majesty's Government if a serious crisis for what is left of our fishing industry is to be averted? Secondly, can we take it from the noble Earl's slightly vagte reply that Her Majesty's Government have no intention of selling the British inshore fishing industry-to the EC in exchange for a budget settlement?
Eart FERRERS: My Lords, I think that I can reassure the noble Lord, Lord Boothby, on the last of his supplementary questions, which is that the solution of the common fisheries policy is one which must be found on its own account, and it will not be part of barter over any other aspect of the Community, least of all the budget.
With regard to his first supplementary question, I would dispute one point with
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The
him and that of cheap, sub knowledge of this country H countries; but position of the which has mad market. I wo Lord, Lord in fact, increas foreign fish--- from about 6 and considera the restoratio imports of co third countries
Lord BLY Minister awaj sternation an about what is today?—parti of fish in whic which makes Did the noble shown on te the French af selling our fi that no actioj
Earl FERF of the proble overcome by fisheries poli -and in thi all the other! --that there of fisheries munity.
As regar would tell 1 that there is of the total Community. which we tr and it is up those water: we do. A evidence tha other count until the to between all be some mo are taking not exceed
Lord P Minister
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