§ 34. Mr. PETHERICKasked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Bill relating to the herring fishery, which the Secretary of State for Scotland is shortly to introduce, will apply to England; and, if so, whether the English county sea-fisheries committees have been consulted?
§ Mr. ELLIOTThe Bill will apply to the herring industry as a whole, in accordance with recommendations of the Sea Fish Commission, in their report, on which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I have had the benefit of an expression of opinion by representatives of all branches 560 of the industry. I shall be happy to consider representations from any of the sea fisheries committees on the subject.
§ Mr. PETHERICKMay I ask my right hon. Friend whether, in the Bill, there will be provisions for the exemption of certain districts in England to which it will not be advisable to apply it?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI am afraid that I cannot make any statement about the Bill before its introduction.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGEIs my right hon. Friend ready to receive representations from the Trawler Owners Federation on the subject?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI shall be ready to receive any representations which deal with the matter in hand.