§ 3. Sir R. Boothbyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the result of the consultations which have been held with the Danish, Dutch and German Governments regarding the prevention of excessive trawling of immature herrings in the North Sea.
Mr. AmoryNo consultations have been held with individual Governments. The first need is a full investigation of the state of the North Sea herring stocks and the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea have been asked to undertake this.
§ Sir R. BoothbyCould my right hon. Friend say when a meeting of the International Council is to take place at which this matter will be considered?
Mr. AmoryI think I am right in saying that we asked that a meeting should be held sooner than it would otherwise have been so that this matter could be studied. I believe that that is the position. I should like to thank my hon. Friend for the very close interest he has taken in this very important subject.
§ Sir R. BoothbyThank you.