49. Mr. LAWasked the Minister of Agriculture what steps are being taken to ensure that fish of foreign taking imported into the United Kingdom has not been caught in waters to the east of North Cape?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Elliot)Under the arrangements at present in force, the skippers of all foreign fishing vessels capable of operating in the areas affected by the Sea Fishing Industry (Restriction of Fishing in Northern Waters) Order, 1933, are required on landing fish in this country to sign a declaration that none of their fish was caught in such areas. I am considering the question whether further measures are necessary or desirable in order to ensure compliance with the Order in respect of fish brought here in cargo vessels.
Mr. LAWIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a considerable proportion of foreign-caught fish is brought into this country not by the boats that caught it but by cargo vessels, and that there is a very strong suspicion among the fishing community that some, at any rate, of the fish is caught in prohibited areas?
§ Mr. ELLIOTAll such fish would have to come out of the Norwegian quota. I am looking into it to see if any further steps are necessary in regard to any fish brought in in cargo vessels.