§ 61. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will specify the weight, value and kind of fish landed in British ports which were exported to Commonwealth and foreign countries, respectively, during each of the last ten years, indicating from which parts of Great Britain they were exported.
§ Sir D. EcclesDetailed statistics of the kinds of fish exported from the United Kingdom and the countries to which they are exported are published in Volume III of the "Annual Statement of Trade of the United Kingdom with Commonwealth Countries and Foreign Countries" for 1950, 1954 and 1956 to which I would refer the hon. and learned Member. Summary figures for 1957 and 1958 will be found in the Trade and Navigation Accounts for December, 1958.
The main centres for the white fish trade are Aberdeen and the Humber ports and for herrings the ports of Eastern Scotland and East Anglia but considerable exports of fish and fish products take place through London, Glasgow and Liverpool.
§ Mr. HughesDoes the Minister admit that this is a valuable export trade, and will he, therefore, say what steps he is taking to expand it?
§ Sir D. EcclesI am glad to say that last year was a record for the last ten years. We try through our usual commercial channels to do everything we can to promote the export of fish.