§ 29. Mr. Bakerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what study he has made of prospects for the 614 exploitation of the South Atlantic fishing grounds; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HoyInvestigations into prospects in the South-Eastern Atlantic are being carried out jointly by the White Fish Authority, the Ministry of Technology and my Department. An account is given in the Annual Report of the Authority laid before Parliament on 23rd June, 1966.
§ Mr. BakerWhile thanking the hon. Gentleman for that reply, may I ask him if he would not agree that the exploitation of these grounds would help in easing the overfishing in some of the more traditional grounds around our coasts?
§ Mr. HoyYes, I agree with the hon. Gentleman, and that is the reason why these researches have taken place.
§ Mr. James JohnsonIs my hon. Friend aware that fishing off the Patagonia coast will cause longer and longer voyages for the home-based fishing fleet, and is he further aware that the consequent absence of the husbands causes their wives much concern? Will he agree to have a sociological survey into this?
§ Mr. HoyI do not underestimate the seriousness of the question raised by my hon. Friend. When we are investigating these things, as we are, quite obviously we have got to consider all the repercussions they will have on the people employed in the industry.