§ 32. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the visit of the Joint Parliamentary Secretary to Iceland from 8th to 13th April in connection with the European Free Trade Fisheries Group, indicating the subjects discussed and decisions made, relating to fishing trade relations, with Iceland and the benefits which will result to Aberdeen fisheries from these discussions.
§ Mr. HoyThis was a goodwill visit at the invitation of the Icelandic Minister of Fisheries to see something of Iceland and the Icelandic fishing industry. There were no discussions of the kind envisaged by my hon. and learned Friend.
§ Mr. HughesWhen visiting that great fishing nation, did the Minister take advantage of the occasion to enlist its aid in stopping poaching in North Sea fishing grounds, which is a real menace to the Aberdeen fishing industry?
§ Mr. HoyObviously, in the course of my visit matters appertaining to fishing were discussed in a friendly way, but we did not go into any real proposals. However, I would point out to my hon. and learned Friend that one striking thing to be seen in the British Embassy in Reykjavik was a very large bill advertising a fair to be held in his constituency next month.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithDid the right hon. Gentleman have any discussions about drift netting for salmon in the waters around Iceland? Can anything be done to help the salmon fishing industry in this country in this respect?
§ Mr. HoyThat is a problem common to both countries, and we exchanged views on it. As the hon. Gentleman knows, we are trying to arrange a conference with all the countries concerned. It was Great Britain which took the initiative in trying to find a solution to this problem.