HC Deb 02 December 1964 vol 703 cc439-40
6. Mr. Wolrige-Gordon

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the present percentage of imported fish meal on the home market; from which countries it comes; and what steps he will take to improve the market for home-produced fish meal.

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. James Hoy)

In 1963, 79 per cent. of our fish meal supplies were imported. In order of importance, the main sources of imports were Peru, South West Africa, Iceland, Norway, Denmark and South Africa. 1 understand that supplies of home-produced fish meal are being readily taken up at present prices which are now higher than at any time since 1959. I see therefore no reason to intervene.

Mr. Wolrige-Gordon

Is the hon. Member aware that I was informed, in a letter from the Scottish Office the other day, that the price paid at Norwegian ports for herring for oil and meal purposes was roughly 40s. a cran, which is higher than the price paid to our own fishermen in this country? Our fishermen are mystified by this discrimination. Can the Minister explain how the Norwegians still manage to export so much fish meal to this country?

Mr. Hoy

If the hon. Member had really wanted an answer to his supplementary question he should have put down a Question on the subject. However, I can tell him a little. White fish enjoys a partial subsidy—and, as he knows, our herring industry is not dependent merely on fish meal for its income. In fact, it would prefer to sell its product to the consuming public. But fish meal plays an important part in respect of that part of the herring catch which cannot be sold for human consumption.

Mr. Hector Hughes

Does my hon. Friend realise that this imported fish meal competes adversely with home-produced fish meal in Scotland, thereby tending to create unemployment? Will he state what steps he is taking to avoid creating that unemployment?

Mr. Hoy

I must tell my hon. and learned Friend that it does nothing of the kind. We sell all the fish meal that is being produced at present and, as one can see by looking at the market prices, it has no effect on the prices that our own people are getting.