HC Deb 14 December 1966 vol 738 c454
49. Mr. James Johnson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that there is dissatisfaction amongst all sections of the deep-sea fishing industry in Hull, trade unionists, merchants and vessel owners alike, over the official policy of scrapping two old vessels for each new deep-freeze trawler to be built qualifying for Government grant; and whether, in the changed conditions of today, he will reconsider his policy which was based upon the advice of the Fleck Committee of the late 1950s.

Mr. Hoy

My right hon. Friend has received no representations to this effect. But this question will be covered in the general review of fisheries policy which is in hand.

Mr. Johnson

Is it not a fact that the objective of the Fleck Committee was to maintain the catching capacity of the deep-sea fishing fleet? If, as we know, landings are less this year at Lowestoft, Fleetwood and elsewhere can my hon. Friend not think again about this?

Mr. Hoy

Yes, Sir. We shall take it into account; but my hon. Friend must himself take into account not only the fresh fish landings but frozen fish landings as well.