HC Deb 14 June 1938 vol 337 cc29-30
41. Mr. Mander

asked the Minister of Agriculture why the Northern Waters (Restriction) Order has been brought into operation again this year, although it is opposed by the trawler owners who do the greater volume of catching, and why notification was only given to those concerned on 23rd May when the order came into operation on 1st June?

62. Mr. Law

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now able to say whether the Sea Fish Industry (Restriction of Landings from Northern Waters) Order is to be continued through the month of August?

Mr. Ramsbotham

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 19th May to a question by Private Notice on this subject by my hon. Friend. Until the Sea Fish Industry Bill then before Parliament had become law, an Order under Section 1 of the Sea Fishing Industry Act, 1933, regulating the landing of foreign-caught fish, was conditional upon there being in force, inter alia, a Northern Waters Order under Section 2 of that Act. There was no necessity to give notice of the Order, which was already in operation. It was, however, decided, while maintaining the existing Order in force at any rate for the months of June and July, to consider further whether it should continue to apply in August. After further consideration, it has now been decided that it shall not so apply, and the necessary amending Order to give effect to this decision will be made in due course.

Mr. Mander

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that those engaged in the fish and chip industry are strongly opposed to this interference with their legitimate trading?

Mr. Ramsbotham

I am quite sure that the answer that I have given will give great satisfaction to that trade.

Mr. Shinwell

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that even the partial restriction to which he has referred inflicts very great hardship on the 30,000 shopkeepers engaged in the business of fish frying?

Mr. Ramsbotham

I cannot say that.