Government Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds recently updated the House of Commons on what the Government has styled its “reset” with the European Union and refused to give an assurance that the fishing industry wouldn’t be “sold-out.”
Questioned by Martin, the Minister gave what Martin has described as a “weak, woolly reply.”
Martin said, “He could have given a clear assurance but refused to do so. Clearly the Labour Government are prepared to use fish as a bargaining counter and it won’t be to the industry’s benefit.”
The text of the exchange is shown below.
Martin Vickers
(Brigg and Immingham) (Con)
Those in the fishing industry will have noted not only that the Minister did not mention fish in his statement, but that he did not respond to the question from the shadow Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Alex Burghart), about fishing. Will he give an assurance to those in the industry that there will be no sell-out—whether on fishing grounds, quotas, days at sea and so on—and that he will do absolutely nothing to worsen the industry?
Nick Thomas-Symonds (Paymaster-General)
The hon. Gentleman is right to mention fishing. I can tell him first and foremost that I will engage with the fishing industry and its representatives about the issues that they face, particularly in selling into European markets. We will of course advocate for the interests of our fishers, and ensure that we fulfil our legal obligations on the marine environment.
