Fishing Industry (Committee of Inquiry) (Hansard, 15 July 1957)

§ 37. Lady Tweedsmuir
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware of the concern felt about the future of the fishing industry; and whether he will make a statement.

§ 47. Mr. Emrys Hughes
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware of the discontent prevailing among fishermen owing to the operation of the herring subsidy; and what action he is taking thereon.

Mr. Amory
The Government have been reviewing the state of the fishing industry in relation to the subsidy arrangements which fall to be made on the expiry of the current schemes at 31st July for white fish and 31st August for herring. Subsidy schemes covering the near and middle water, herring and inshore fleets for the ensuing twelve months are being laid before the House today. The Government have also concluded that the time is opportune for an assessment of the future of the fishing industry as a whole, taking account of present and prospective developments affecting the fishing fleets and fish processing and marketing. It has been decided, therefore, to appoint a Committee of Inquiry whose composition and terms of reference will be announced later.

§ Lady Tweedsmuir
While thanking my right hon. Friend for his announcement of an inquiry, which we trust will get to the root of the very serious problems of the fishing industry, may I ask how long the inquiry is expected to take? In view of the grave and particular difficulties of the Scottish white fish industry, of which he is well aware, will he consider increasing the grants and loans for new buildings under the present schemes, as the subsidy, particulars of which are published today, will not meet these very serious problems?

Mr. Amory
The inquiry, which I think will be a broad one, covering all aspects of the industry, will inevitably take quite a time. As to the present subsidy scheme, the grants and loans at present being made are on a generous scale. As to the subsidy scheme in general for the ensuing period, we shall have a chance of debating that when the Order, which is being laid today, comes up for debate within the next two or three weeks.

§ Mr. Hughes
Does the right hon. Gentleman intend to do anything to deal with the special grievances of the fishermen of the Clyde, who have been on strike for the first time in history? Will he do anything to remedy the injustices to them?

Mr. Amory
That again is something on which, when the hon. Member has seen the Order, he will know what our proposals are for the ensuing period. That also is a subject which we hope to debate when the Order comes before the House. The increase in the subsidy to the herring industry made a month or two ago was a considerable one and the fishermen whom the hon. Member has in mind benefit directly from it.

§ Mr. G. R. Howard
Will the inquiry cover the possible merging of the Herring Industry Board and the White Fish Authority, to produce greater efficiency in connection with grants and loans for the fishing industry?

Mr. Amory
It will be a very broad inquiry covering all aspects of the industry.

§ Mr. Woodburn
May I ask whether this is the same policy as the one which the right hon. Gentleman outlined to the Conservative private meeting, and why it was not announced to the House first? Will all branches of the fishing industry be invited to give evidence to the inquiry?

Mr. Amory
The meeting to which the right hon. Gentleman alludes was held before any firm decision had been reached and therefore there was no question of any decision being announced to that meeting. I certainly imagine that all branches of the industry will have an opportunity of giving evidence before the inquiry.

§ Mr. Fell
Can my right hon. Friend say who will be the members of the committee of inquiry and how long he thinks it will take for the committee to report?

Mr. Amory
The membership has not yet been decided. As to the, period, I mentioned just now that as the inquiry will be covering all aspects of the industry I think it will take a considerable time.

§ Mr. Lewis
May I seek your guidance, Mr. Speaker? It will be my intention to ask leave to move the adjournment of the House under Standing Order No. 9. Should I do so now or after any Ministerial statements have been made?

§ Mr. Speaker
It should come before public business starts.