HC Deb 26 January 1960 vol 616 c30
46. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Prime Minister, in view of the increase in the nature and complications of the duties of the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and of the fact that those duties involve his frequent attendance and representation at relevant conferences outside Great Britain, if he will now arrange for a separate Minister of Cabinet rank to discharge the duties of the Fisheries Department unfettered by other duties.

Mr. R. A. Butler

I have been asked to reply.

No, Sir. As my right hon. Friend said in reply to a similar Question on 5th February, 1957, we believe that the interests of the fishing industry are best served by the present arrangements.

Mr. Hughes

Does not the right hon Gentleman realise that the policy which that kind of Answer represents places Britain at a great disadvantage and in a dilemma in relation to conferences, such as the forthcoming Conference on the Law of the Sea at Geneva? Either Britain will be authoritatively represented at that conference, in which event food and agriculture in this country will be neglected, or Britain will not be adequately represented and will suffer as she suffered at the last similar conference.

Mr. Butler

An announcement will be made shortly about the composition and leadership of this delegation. I think that the House will be perfectly well satisfied with the announcement when it is made.