§ 45. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Prime Minister if he is aware that many problems peculiar to the fishing industry distinguish it from the agricultural and food industries; that these problems are growing in number and diversity; that the 778 absence of a Minister solely devoted to fishing is prejudicial to producers and consumers; and, in view of this, if he will separate the Ministry of Fisheries from the Ministry of Agriculture and take steps to appoint a separate Minister of Fisheries of equal status to the present Minister.
§ The Prime Minister (Sir Anthony Eden)A policy of having a separate small Government Department for each important industry would not be good either for the industries themselves, or for the Government or for the nation. I am convinced that the interests of the fishing industry are better served under present arrangements, when they have a Minister to speak for them in the Cabinet.
§ Mr. HughesDoes not the right hon. Gentleman realise that the fishing industry is not small but is the third largest industry in the country and that its problems involve grave international disputes, which remain unsettled largely because the Minister, owing to the peculiarities of his Ministry—as his answers to Questions today show—is too much preoccupied with agriculture and too little with fisheries.
§ The Prime MinisterI do not think that is so. There is a Joint Under-Secretary in the Department who deals with fisheries. The association of that industry with certain parts of the agriculture industry is of very long standing, from gastronomical and other points of view. I doubt whether we should be wise to disturb them.