HC Deb 17 June 1954 vol 528 cc2273-4
45. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Prime Minister if he will reconsider his refusal to separate the Ministry of Agriculture from the Ministry of Fisheries, in view of the national importance of the fishing industry; and if he will now take steps to set up a separate Ministry to solve its problems and attend to its development.

The Prime Minister (Sir Winston Churchill)

It would not, I feel, be a good arrangement to have a separate Department for every industry of national importance. These two industries have been long associated departmentally and, after all, there are many ancient links between fish and chips.

Mr. Hughes

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the association of powers and responsibilities to which he has referred is inflicting loss and damage on the home and foreign industry and also depriving British consumers of fish food and encouraging foreign trade rivalry? Will he take expert advice on this, which is really a national problem?