HC Deb 23 April 1953 vol 514 cc1386-7
16. Mr. Hayman

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he proposes to take to deal with the plight in which the Cornish pilchard industry finds itself.

Sir T. Dugdale

Fishermen's earnings from the sale of pilchards have risen steadily in recent years and continue to be supplemented by the Government subsidy of 10d. per stone, and I cannot accept the suggestion that they are unduly low. The White Fish Authority have decided to establish a fish meal factory in the South-West, and this will help to meet any risk of unmarketable surpluses in the future.

Mr. Hayman

Is the Minister so ignorant—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—or so devoid of information within his Department that he is unaware of the plight in which the Cornish pilchard fishing industry finds itself today owing to the glut of South African pilchards on the home market; that there are now idle canneries, idle boats and idle men in the fishing industry in Cornwall, and that unless something is done soon these industries will be ruined?

Sir T. Dugdale

Yes, Sir, but I think the hon. Gentleman is also very ignorant of the facts because if he will study them he will see that the quantity and value of pilchards landed in the South-West have been progressively increasing in recent years. For instance—to give one figure —in 1949, there were over 60,000 cwts. valued at £68,000, at an average price of 22s. 8d. a cwt., whereas in 1952 there were 93,000 cwts. valued at £144,000— about double—at an average price of 31s. 1d. a cwt.

Mr. G. R. Howard

Will my right hon. Friend give an assurance that together with the White Fish Authority he will do his best to assist the Cornish Sea Fisheries Committee in the action they are proposing to take in this matter?

Sir T. Dugdale

I have very much in mind the present difficulties mentioned by both hon. Gentlemen.