HC Deb 03 May 1967 vol 746 cc519-20
17. Mr. Wall

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what report he has received from the White Fish Authority about their inquiry on a statutory minimum price scheme for white fish.

46. Mr. G. Campbell

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if Her Majesty's Government are still considering whether to make a financial contribution to a minimum prices scheme for white fish as an essential element for the successful launching of such a scheme.

Mr. Hoy

I have nothing to add to the answer given on 5th April, 1967, by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland.—[Vol. 744, c. 213.]

Mr. Wall

Has not the advice from this side of the House always been that a statutory scheme cannot be satisfactory unless the Government give it financial assistance? Now that the White Fish Authority's inquiry has come to exactly the same conclusion, what action do the Government propose?

Mr. Hoy

The hon. Gentleman has changed his line of argument, even from our last Question Time; there is a little cover up here. All I say is that I have nothing further to add. However, I assure the House that we will give consideration to the Estimates Committee's recommendation.

Mr. G. Campbell

I have not shifted my line of argument. Would the hon. Gentleman recognise that there is little chance of such a scheme getting off the ground unless there is a Government financial contribution?

Mr. Hoy

I have already said that we would have to consider that in the light of the report from the Estimates Committe and its recommendation that there should, perhaps, be a Treasury subvention if the minimum prices scheme is to be operated.

Mr. McNamara

Would my hon. Friend agree, though, that in view of the heavy subsidy to the industry in the hope that it will be viable in the 1970s, this would be a good way for the industry to show that it can stand on its own feet?

Mr. Hoy

All these things are taken into consideration. Whenever we go to pay more, we are met with the objection that the Government are spending too much. But if we do not take action, then we do not meet the wishes of hon. Gentlemen who want more.

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