§ 38. Mr. Edward Evansasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has now received reports from his research vessels into the causes for the decline in herring catches this year; how far this decline is due to the intense trawling for herring by foreign fishing vessels as evidenced by the fact that landings of fishmeal in this country have risen by more than two and a half times; which countries are most concerned; and how far it is due to other causes.
Mr. AmoryThere have been no abnormal results this year apart from the East Anglian season. As to that I am unable at present to add to my reply to the hon. Member on 17th November. I hope that my scientific staff's conclusions can be published within the next few weeks.
§ Mr. EvansHas the right hon. Gentleman seen a report in the Star newspaper of 7th December, which says that his experts have now reported that the fault lies with the extended use of fishmeal by farmers, and that
The herring breeding grounds are being exhausted by the overfishing of young herring for the meal factories.
Mr. AmoryI am always glad to get some really up-to-date information, but if that is the report, it must, I think, be very much an interim report.
§ Mr. DuthieWill the Minister ensure that when his experts are inquiring into the decline in the herring industry in East Anglia they will seek the advice of expert fishermen, who hold the view that the north-easterly gales in the earlier part of the season engendered a general state of feeding which drove the herring offshore? That feeling is very strongly held and should be looked into.
Mr. AmoryI have no doubt whatever that my scientific advisers will be in very close touch with the practical fishermen.
§ Mr. Hector HughesDo not the views expressed show how essential it is for all Her Majesty's research ships to do the work for which they were built, instead of lying up, as the "Sir William Hardy" has done in Aberdeen harbour for many months doing nothing?
Mr. AmoryThe hon. and learned Gentleman will know that there are reasons that have made that unavoidable.