New Highland MPs have clashed with immigration chiefs over calls to relax border rules to help the local fishing industry.
A group of four SNP politicians representing the west coast yesterday demanded talks with Immigration Minister James Brokenshire.
In an opening salvo in what could become a long-running battle between the Conservative government and Nationalist opposition over immigration, they warned that border controls were “damaging” the fishing fleet and the north economy.
But the Home Office responded last night, saying “it does not make sense” to employ foreign workers in jobs that could be filled by local people.
A letter requesting an early meeting with the minister has been written jointly by Western Isles MP Angus MacNeil, new Ross, Skye and Lochaber MP Ian Blackford, Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross MP Paul Monaghan, and Argyll and Bute MP Brendan O’Hara.
Mr MacNeil said: “I know of fishing boats on the west coast that are tied up due to lack of crew, the upshot is an effect on jobs ashore in the processing sector.
“We need the UK government to be responsive to our needs and allow migrant workers to come from the Philippines and elsewhere to help our fishing sector and of course earn a decent wage for themselves.”
Mr O’Hara said: “The UK government has to recognise that a one-size-fits-all policy isn’t appropriate and the specific needs of the west coast fishing industry are not being best served by the current immigration legislation.
“Our boats need migrant seafarers and the government should act to help this vital west coast industry.”
Mr Blackford said: “We cannot continue with a policy that is damaging the economy. Mallaig in particular is a hub of west coast fishing activity and I want to see that supported and not damaged by actions at Westminster where visas for migrant workers are controlled.”
However, the Home Office dismissed the call last night, and pinned the blame on the Scottish Government.
A spokesman said: “Fishing is a devolved policy area and it is for Marine Scotland and the Scottish Government to address any training shortfalls in the industry.
“It does not make sense to import foreign workers to do work that could be done by local people.”