§ 56. Mr. Digbyasked the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries whether he has been consulted in regard to the proposal to close a large area off the Dorset and Devon coast to fishing; and whether he is aware of the grave concern among fishermen and among residents in these counties at the prospect of a serious reduction in the supply of fish available to them.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsNo, Sir. So far as I am aware there is no proposal under consideration which would involve closing a large area off this coast to fishing vessels. Any proposals involving the permanent use of sea areas for Service purposes will come before the Inter-Departmental Com- 711 mittee on Services Land Requirements, on which my Department is represented, and the interests of the fishing industry will be fully considered.