Ministers have been urged to give fishing communities clarity on what the post-Brexit framework will be.
Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael, speaking during Scottish questions, hit out at the lack of progress on the fisheries bill and said fishermen were being “let down”.
He said: “The last time I asked the secretary of state about the fisheries bill he deflected the question, saying ‘we shall see what happens when the bill returns on report’.
“That was on January 16, five months ago. We still have not had the fisheries bill on report. When are we going to get it?”
Scottish Secretary David Mundell, responding, said: “I am sure the he will not be surprised to hear me say, in due course.”
Speaking after the exchange, Mr Carmichael said: “I may not have been surprised by the minister’s answer, but I was disappointed.
“Fishermen were promised a sea of opportunities if we left the EU, taking back control of our waters and an opportunity to deliver better management of our sector.
“The government’s fishing bill has sunk without a trace.”
Fishermen in ‘desperate need of clarity’ on post-Brexit arrangements
