HC Deb 08 May 1933 vol 277 cc1212-3
16. Mr. LAW

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the question of the Government's policy in regard to fisheries?

Major ELLIOT

Yes, Sir. The Government have decided to introduce legislation providing for regulating supplies of fish coming on to the market in Great Britain and to combine this with Regulations as to size of mesh used and size of fish landed designed to combat the growing evil of over-fishing in the North Sea and other areas near Great Britain as to which many complaints have repeatedly been made. At the same time it is intended to afford facilities for the reorganisation of the fishing industry of this country.

It is proposed that foreign supplies shall be regulated quantitatively. It is proposed to regulate the size of mesh used in British vessels so as to facilitate the escape of under-sized fish, thereby contributing towards the more economic development of the fishing grounds. Size limits below which certain classes of fish will not be permitted to be landed or sold in this country will be prescribed and made applicable. This would apply to both British and foreign-caught supplies. Arrangements are contemplated with a view to restricting landings of fish from some of the more distant fishing grounds (which are at all times relatively of poor quality) at seasons of the year when supplies from these regions are surplus to normal requirements of the market.

It is further intended to set up a Reorganisation Commission for the purpose of drafting proposals for reorganisation to he laid before and considered by the industry. These proposals have been communicated to the countries chiefly interested, and are being elaborated by the Secretary of State for Scotland and myself in consultation with the various interests concerned, and I hope to be in a position to introduce the necessary legislation at an early date.

Mr. D. GRENFELL

Do the Government propose to make provision so that the discharge of oil around our coasts shall be prevented, in order that fishing may not be damaged?

Major ELLIOT

Those are points of detail which need to be considered when we come to the actual terms of the legislation.

Sir MURDOCH McKENZIE WOOD

Would the Minister remember the interests of the herring fishing industry which is an export industry and may be severely injured by these proposals to limit the supply of fish?

Major ELLIOT

I certainly believe that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has the interests of the herring fishing industry closely at heart.

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

Having regulated and restricted the imports of fish, is it intended to take any steps to organise the sale of fish, so as to ensure that poor people shall not be denied this article of food?

Major ELLIOT

Of course, we are making preparations to afford facilities for the reorganisation of the fishing industry in this country.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Does that imply that a scheme for marketing the restricted quanties that will be available will be taken in hand in connection with the reorganization?

Major ELLIOT

We shall consider all those things.

Several HON. MEMBERS rose

—

Mr. SPEAKER

I think we had better wait for the Bill.