§ 49. Mr. James Johnsonasked 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. HoyMy 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. JohnsonIs 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. HoyYes, 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.