Clause 141
Marine and Coastal Access Bill [Lords]
1:00 pm
Huw Irranca-Davies (Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Marine and Natural Environment), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Ogmore, Labour)
I see the strength of feeling in the Committee and the recognition that this issue will need to be resolved, but it needs to be resolved in a clear and equitable way. I hope the Committee recognises that the Government share the ambition to get the necessary reform that will apply not only to our own fleet but to everybody who fishes in common seas, as well. I want to make it absolutely clear that removing the sea fisheries defence as a whole would leave us in clear breach of our EU obligations. There are no ifs or buts about that. It would be illegal for the UK Government to legislate in that way; it would be wide open to infraction proceedings.
However, I listened carefully to the debate this morning and to the interventions. Powerful points have been made and I can see that concern is deeply felt right across the Committee. On reflection, therefore, I am prepared to consider what more we can do to address the position, which I myself find less than ideal. I should like to find a way to get rid of the sea fisheries defence in an equitable way that is consistent with EU obligations as soon as possible. I cannot make any promises at the moment, because I need to talk to colleagues in Whitehall and, importantly, in the devolved Administrations. I hope to be able to return on Report with a helpful way forward.