§ 30. Mr. Evelyn Kingasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research is now being conducted in the field of fish farming; what results have so far been achieved; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HoyResearch and experimental work in fish farming is being carried out by the Fisheries laboratories, by the White Fish Authority and by universities. An account appears in the Annual Report of the White Fish Authority laid before Parliament on 23rd June.
§ Mr. KingWill the hon. Gentleman hurry this research on? Would he confirm its potential importance to seaside resorts, particularly where heat and power from power stations are likely to be available.
§ Mr. HoyYes. In reply to the latter part of the supplementary question, research is going on into this particular aspect. With regard to overall research, whatever we do it is going to take some time to get proper answers, but I can assure the hon. Gentleman that the three parties concerned in this work are not losing any time at all in seeking to find results.
§ Mr. ManuelWould my hon. Friend indicate just what success has been attained so far in connection with fish farming as a viable enterprise? Have any definite conclusions yet been obtained?
§ Mr. HoyWe are in the early stages of the research at Lowestoft, which is being very helpful indeed; but I am bound to tell my hon. Friend that it will be some time yet before we are able to say whether it will be a viable proposition or not.