§ 37. Mr. Wolrige-Gordonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what economic information the Government have obtained in relation to the shell fish industry.
§ Mr. BuchanDetailed information is published each year in my Department's Reports on the Fisheries of Scotland and in the Scottish Sea Fisheries Statistical Tables. 1969 was a record year with landings of £3.6 millions—more than double the value of the catch in 1964.
Mr. Wohige-GordonIs not it unfair for a Government to say to any industry, particularly this one, that they have enough information to take a special levy from the industry, while doing nothing in return, and providing no subsidy comparable to that accepted by the rest of the fishing industry?
§ Mr. BuchanAs I have pointed out to him before, the hon. Gentleman has this wrong. There is no relationship between the levy on the one hand and the subsidy on the other. The shell fish industry, like any other sea fishing industry, receives benefit from the research and development work of the White Fish Authority, and it is appropriate that the industry should contribute to that authority.