SCOTTISH Liberal Democrat Fisheries spokesperson Liam McArthur has challenged the Scottish Government’s First Minister to clarify what support will be given to Scottish fishermen hit by the EU's decision to extend emergency whitefish restrictions on the West Coast.

Mr McArthur questioned the First Minister on this issue at yesterday’s First Minister’s Questions.

Afterwards McArthur said: "The First Minister accepted the 'significant' damage these measures will have on the whitefish boats affected. What he entirely failed to do was give any indication how his government intends to respond.

"He had an opportunity today to make clear what scope there still might be for counter proposals to be made. He opted not to say.

"He was also invited to clarify whether or not he plans to make good his Fisheries Secretary's promise to look at a paid tie-up scheme. Again, he chose to duck the issue.

"Instead the First Minister insisted that his Fisheries Secretary was to be congratulated on taking the 'unprecedented' step of voting against the extension of these measures. This conveniently overlooks the fact that the measures were only introduced after Mr Lochhead signed on the dotted line last year.