§ 24. Mr. Haymanasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in conjunction with the White Fish Authority, he will consider the introduction of a scheme for securing reasonable prices for pilchards between fishermen and buyers on first-hand sales to canners, curers and the fresh market.
Mr. AmoryThis is a matter in the first instance for the White Fish Authority, which is now considering whether and how it might assist in response to a recent request by the Cornwall Sea Fisheries Committee.
§ Mr. HaymanWhile thanking the Minister for that reply, may I ask him if he will give all the assistance he can to the Cornish pilchard industry, because this is a very important industry, although very small, and it is facing terrific competition in the imports of a kind of pilchard from all parts of the world?
Mr. AmoryI can assure the hon. Member that I shall give very careful consideration to any recommendations or proposals made to me by the White Fish Authority.