Question
Scotland’s fishing industry makes a vital contribution to coastal communities in every part of Scotland. Last year, Labour negotiated away 12 years of access to our seas to the EU in a disastrous deal for the UK. Can the Minister guarantee that our fisheries will not suffer in any way from the sanitary and phytosanitary deal with the EU or lose any of our remaining freedoms outside the common fisheries policy?
Answer
I was glad to meet representatives from the fishing sector across Scotland recently, and this matter will be on the agenda for the EU summit taking place at the end of next month. The Prime Minister has also rightly said that it is time for us to have an honest conversation with the country about our broader relationship with Europe. That stands to benefit Scotland in many ways, and I wish the hon. Member’s party would get behind that. Moreover, it is an interesting day to hear about measures that would benefit the economy from the Conservatives, given that Liz Truss has been talking about her mini-Budget, saying that she was right. Let us remember that the shadow Chancellor, the hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs (Andrew Griffith), was one of the architects of that Budget, which torched our economy.44% point-scoring 22% vibes
Verdict: RED (14/100)
The reply only partly answers the first part of the question. It says the matter will be raised at the EU summit and that the arrangement 'stands to benefit Scotland', but it gives no concrete assurance that fisheries will not be harmed. The second part, about whether Scottish fisheries will keep their remaining freedoms outside the common fisheries policy, is not addressed at all. The person who asked would most likely need to submit a follow-up for specific commitments.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Will the Minister guarantee that Scottish fisheries will not suffer in any way from the sanitary and phytosanitary agreement with the EU? | Partially Addressed | Hedged | The reply does not give the requested guarantee. It commits only to putting the matter on the EU summit agenda and asserts that the arrangement 'stands to benefit Scotland', which is a platitude rather than a concrete assurance that fisheries will not suffer at all. Meeting fishing representatives is context, not an answer. |
| Will the Minister guarantee that Scottish fisheries will not lose any of their remaining freedoms outside the common fisheries policy? | Not Addressed | Generic | Nothing in the reply addresses whether Scottish fisheries will keep their remaining freedoms outside the common fisheries policy. The statements about a 'honest conversation' on Europe and benefits to Scotland are broad, and the EU summit commitment does not clearly refer to this point. |