HC Deb 26 July 1967 vol 751 cc729-30
33. Mr. James Johnson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is now able to make a statement about the fisheries review which was to have been completed in 1966.

Mr. Hoy

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall) on 21st June.—[Vol. 748, C. 1694–5]

Mr. Johnson

Would not my hon. Friend agree that the fishing industry is notorious for its ups and downs? Would he consider having a farm improvements debate in the House? Does he not think that fishing, like agriculture, might benefit from a biennial review?

Mr. Hoy

The fishing industry, as my hon. Friend said this morning, is a hunting industry, and, obviously, it has its ups and downs. I hope that in the course of the review which we are now making, which I can claim to be the most substantial one yet made, we shall at least provide some outline of policy to meet the needs of the industry.

Mr. Stodart

As the results of the review may have a considerable effect on the crisis which faces the fishing industry at the moment, will the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that he will make every effort to speed up the outcome of the review and then act with great swiftness upon it?

Mr. Hoy

Yes, Sir. But it is not only the fishing industry in this country. Do not let us exaggerate. Fishing industries all over the world, as even the hon. Gentleman admitted this morning, are faced with this problem. We want to find a solution for our own industry, which is so valuable to our economy. I can only hope that if as a result of our review we can find the answer the Government will not lack speed in putting it into action.

Mr. Hector Hughes

Will my hon. Friend add to the statement that he referred to in his first Answer, as to the effect of the new phenomenon in the North Sea fishing grounds—drilling for oil and the effect upon the fishing grounds and the fish?

Mr. Hoy

I think that all want to find oil if they can, especially at the present time, but we hope that this is having no deleterious effect on the fishing industry, because in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food we have the job of seeking to combine Britain's economic prosperity with protection of the fishing industry.

Sir C. Osborne

Since the review was promised for last year, what has caused the unusual delay, and exactly when are we to get it?

Mr. Hoy

The hon. Gentleman's hon. Friends this morning were saying that the fishing industry changes at a very rapid rate. We have been faced with this situation. As I said this morning, the evidence provided to the Estimates Committee has so changed compared with the present time that it is right that we should take the present situation into consideration before we find the answers to the problem.