Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Scotland Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Eilidh Whiteford Excerpts
Wednesday 20th June 2012

(12 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Michael Moore Portrait Michael Moore
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The hon. Gentleman is entirely right to highlight the fact that the Scottish Government are yet again making such assertions rather than producing detailed analysis and evidence, which is what this Government are determined to provide in this great debate. The Scottish Government seem willing and able to swap a good partnership for some kind of new dependency, and that is not right.

Eilidh Whiteford Portrait Dr Eilidh Whiteford (Banff and Buchan) (SNP)
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9. What assessment he has made of the implications for the Scottish fishing industry of the recent EU Fisheries Council.

David Mundell Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (David Mundell)
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The UK Government have worked hard to influence the content of the “General Approach” at the Fisheries Council. It would deliver positive benefits for Scotland’s fisheries and those who depend on them, and I welcome its commitment to manage fish stocks sustainably, to move towards more regionalised fisheries management and to ensure that discards are eliminated.

Eilidh Whiteford Portrait Dr Whiteford
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I also welcome the progress that was made in Luxembourg last week, but does the Minister think that this would be an appropriate juncture in the process at which to introduce more transparency into fisheries management in the form of the UK Government making public the individuals and companies that hold fish quota here?

David Mundell Portrait David Mundell
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I agree with the hon. Lady that it is important for the UK Government and the Scottish Government to work well together, and the recent Fisheries Council is a good example of them doing that for the benefit of Scotland’s fishermen.