HC Deb 14 February 1957 vol 564 cc1437-8
43. Mr. Temple

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give an assurance that, at all future conferences held by his Department where the rights of the estuarial industrial net fishermen of this country are under consideration, representatives of these interests will be asked to attend.

Mr. Amory

I can assure my hon. Friend that if proposals should be made which would involve changes in public netting rights the net fishermen will have full opportunity for stating their views.

Mr. Temple

While I thank my right hon. Friend for his reply, is he aware that these netting rights have existed continuously in many instances since Magna Charta?

Mr. Amory

Yes, Sir, and I will make sure that all the fishery interests are given opportunity to make representations before any change is made in those rights.

Mr. Hector Hughes

Does the right hon. Gentleman succeed in attending or even being represented at the various conferences which he is expected to attend in order to represent his three-fold Ministry?

Mr. Amory

I attend as many as I can. The conferences in question were called by my own Department and, therefore, were attended by officials of my Department.