§ 16. Mr. McNamaraasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now make a further statement on the future of the White Fish Authority.
§ 40. Mr. James Johnsonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what meeting he has now had with the Chairman of the White Fish Authority; and what decision he has made about the future organisation and finances of the authority.
§ Mr. PriorI have already undertaken to make a statement about the White Fish Authority before the end of the year. I met the Chairman on 13th August, when we had a preliminary discussion of this and other aspects of policy.
§ Mr. McNamaraI am grateful for the Minister's undertaking to make this statement by the end of the year. May we hope that as a result of the conversations and tours he has been making in the recess he has improved his earlier impressions of the White Fish Authority and that we shall see it strengthened and expanded?
§ Mr. PriorI know that the hon. Gentleman takes a keen interest in this matter. I have seen the work done by the White Fish Authority in Hull during the recess. I do not want to be drawn into giving any more information about the authority at this stage.
§ Mr. JohnsonIf the White Fish Authority is to continue, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he has discussed the possibility of a successor to Sir Charles Hardie? The industry thinks that he is an able administrator, but he has many, many directorships, including one with B.O.A.C. We feel that there should be another man in the post. Also, in view of the Government's policy about moving offices out of London, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he has considered shifting the premises of the White Fish Authority to the capital of the fishing industry—Hull?
§ Mr. PriorWithout being drawn into a discussion about what is the fishing capital, may I say that all the points which the hon. Gentleman has mentioned are under consideration. I do not wish to be drawn into further discussion at the moment.
§ Mr. WallHas my right hon. Friend considered the amalgamation of the White Fish Authority with the Herring Industry Board?