HC Deb 19 December 1957 vol 580 cc595-6
34. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the composition and terms of reference of the Committee of Inquiry into the fishing industry which, on 15th July, 1957, he announced it was his intention to set up; and when it will begin its sittings.

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. J. B. Godber)

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdeen, South (Lady Tweedsmuir) and the hon. Member for Edinburgh, Leith (Mr. Hoy) on 25th November. The Committee held its first meeting yesterday.

Mr. Hughes

Will the Minister say whether every phase of the fishing industry will be invited to give evidence before the Committee, so that it may achieve its utmost utility, and will its sittings be held in public?

Mr. Godber

The Committee will ask for the widest possible representations from all the people concerned. Its terms of reference are very wide indeed.

Mr. John Hall

Is it not true that all the relevant facts about the fishing industry are already well known? What new facts does the Committee expect to elicit?

Mr. Godber

I would not accept that all the facts are known. I think that this distinguished Committee should produce a very interesting report.