HC Deb 21 June 1967 vol 748 cc1693-4
1. Mr. Wall

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the Government have now reached a conclusion about a statutory minimum price scheme for wet fish; and if he will make a statement.

The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Fred Peart)

The White Fish Authority decided not to submit its scheme to Ministers in view of the lack of support for it from the industry.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I have reconsidered the possibility of Exchequer support as recommended by the Authority and by the Estimates Committee. But it is evident that this would not overcome the objections of principle raised by substantial catching interests as well as sections of the distributive trades.

I am circulating a fuller statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Wall

Can I take it from the right hon. Gentleman's reply that this scheme is now dead?

Mr. Peart

In present circumstances it is, but obviously we are always open to any proposal which may be put to us.

Mr. Godber

The Minister has made a serious statement. I assume that he is in close touch with the industry and would wish to see it flourish and have a fair return?

Mr. Peart

Certainly I can give that assurance.

The Statement is as follows: I told the House on 2nd March, 1966 that the Government would consider any scheme of minimum prices for white fish which the White Fish Authority might submit, but that we could not promise an Exchequer contribution to its cost. The Authority subsequently published a draft scheme and considered the objections made to them by the fishery interests concerned. They concluded that their scheme would not command sufficient support to be workable and decided not to submit it to Ministers. They also re-affirmed their belief that a scheme was still needed but that an Exchequer contribution would be required. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I accordingly reconsidered the possibility of Exchequer support as recommended in the Sixth Report from the Estimates Committee on Assistance to the Fishing Industry. But it was evident that, financial considerations apart, there were objections to the principle of a statutory scheme, not only from important sections of the retail and wholesale trades but also from most organisations of inshore fishermen, and from substantial trawling interests. Even from those organisations that accepted the principle of a scheme there were conflicting objections to the substance of the draft scheme which could not be reconciled. It is clear that the question of an Exchequer contribution for a statutory minimum price scheme for white fish cannot usefully be pursued further in the situation I have described.