§ 31. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has considered the copy of a resolution that was passed at a national rally of the National Federation of Fish Friers' Association, held on 18th June at Trentham Gardens, North Staffordshire; is it intended to take any action; is it intended to continue the restrictive policy; and will he call an early meeting of the National Joint Council of the Sea Fish Commission in order that they can give consideration to the restrictions?
§ 37. Mr. Leonardasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has considered the protest from the National Federation of Fish Fryers against the Northern Waters Order, which it is held will increase still further the price of the fish they use; and if he proposes to intervene?
§ 39. Mr. Thorneasked the Minister of Agriculture whether any reply has been made to the request made by the National Federation of Fish and Chip Fryers owing 905 to restrictions on fish landing that was sent to him on Monday last; and, if so, the nature of that reply?
§ The Minister of Agriculture (Colonel Sir Reginald Dorman-Smith)I have received certain representations from the National Federation of Fish Friers and have considered the resolution passed at their meeting on 18th June. Of the measures to which they refer, the only one on which I have any power to take action is the maintenance in operation of the Sea Fishing Industry (Restriction of Fishing in Northern Waters) Order, 1938. That Order applies only to the months of June and July, and any amendment at this date, even if I were satisfied that it was warranted, would not affect landings until the latter part of July and so would anticipate only by a week or so the date when the Order will in any case cease to operate. I have, accordingly, informed the federation that I am not prepared to reopen the question. I have also indicated to them that, as regards the Trawler Owners' Voluntary Restrictions Scheme, I have no power to intervene. As regards the last part of the question, I understand that a meeting of the White Fish Industry Joint Council is being called at an early date.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs the Minister aware that, under the White Fish Industry Act, power is vested in the Commission referred to in the question of one of my hon. Friends to advise the Minister as to the action that ought to be taken in matters of this kind, and, therefore, why did he not consult this Commission or wait for negotiations before he came to a decision?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithAs I said, the White Fish Industry Joint Council is being-called together at an early date.
43. Mr. Adamsonasked the Minister of Agriculture whether the White Fish Commission has tendered him any advice regarding the inter-trading or closed-shop scheme which is to come into operation as between the fish merchants and the fish-friers and retailers; and what will be the effect of his scheme upon the registration, arrangements made under the Sea Fish Industry Act?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithNo, Sir. With regard to the second part of the question, no voluntary scheme of this kind would 906 affect the obligations imposed by the Sea Fish Industry Act, 1938, as regards registration.
44. Mr. Adamsonasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has appointed any additional members to the White Fish Industry Joint Council to represent the interests of persons employed in the industry?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithNo, Sir, but I am in communication with bodies representative of certain of those interests, with a view to some additional appointments being made at an early date.
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithNo, Sir, it will be on a national basis.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs the Minister in communication with the workers' side of the industry?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithI am.