§ 2. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps his Department takes to collect and study the eyes of fish for biological purposes as is done in the United States of America; and what have been the results.
Mr. VaneThe eyes of fish, particularly of cod and herring, are collected and studied at the Government fisheries 3 laboratories at Lowestoft and Aberdeen as part of a study of the behaviour of fish in relation to light and their avoidance of nets and gear. This work has also been of value in increasing our understanding of migration of fish, and our scientists are in touch with the work being done on this subject in the United States.
§ Mr. HughesWill the Joint Parliamentary Secretary have this aspect of fish eyes investigated and publish a White Paper on the subject for the benefit of people in this country with defective eyesight?
Mr. VaneI doubt the advantage of a White Paper. I said that increased study is being given to this question of seasonal changes in the visual pigment of fish eyes and related subjects, which are important to industry.