§ 45. Mr. Wolrige-Gordonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received to ban drift netting for herring off the north-east coast of England; and what reply he has sent.
§ Mr. HoyI am tomorrow receiving a deputation of fishermen from the northeast coast to discuss a proposal that all 1407 fishing for herring should be banned in the outer six-mile belt.
§ Mr. Wolrige-GordonI thank the Minister for that reply. Is he aware that drift netting for herring does not disturb the herring on the bottom of the sea, nor does it interfere with the spawning shoals? It would be a serious thing for the supplies of herring to this country if the drift net fishermen were penalised for what seems more likely to be the result of depredations by foreign trawlers.
§ Mr. HoyI should prefer not to comment until I have received this deputation. I know that there would be certain repercussions from other parts of the United Kingdom if this proposal were carried out. I am bound to convey any decision to every part of the United Kingdom; not to this one area.