HC Deb 11 February 1970 vol 795 cc1245-6
22. Mr. Wall

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now make a statement on his decision on the proposed increase in the White Fish Authority's levy.

Mr. Hoy

An order confirming, with modifications, the White Fish Authority (General Levy) Regulations, 1969, was laid on 5th February, together with a draft order to confirm, with modifications, the White Fish Authority Publicity Scheme, 1969. The new general levy rates take effect from 15th February. A date for the operation of the publicity levy will he set when the order is confirmed.

Mr. Wall

Can the right hon. Gentleman say roughly how much the increase in the general levy will bring in and what proportion of it will be devoted to research and development? From the point of view of the publicity scheme, would it not be better to exclude fishmeal altogether rather than have the levy paid and then have to refund it?

Mr. Hoy

A later Question appears on the Order Paper from another hon. Member about fishmeal, and the hon. Gentleman will therefore not expect me to answer that part of his supplementary question now. The present rate of the general levy, which is 1d. per stone, has stood since July, 1963. Research and development calls for a considerable amount of money, and we hope to provide it from this levy.

Mr. James Johnson

Is my right hon. Friend aware that neither fishermen nor fish merchants favour this additional levy? Is he further aware that while they are in favour of research and development by the authority, they will not be convinced of the value of the levy until the publicity scheme manages to get fish sold in larger quantities to the housewife?

Mr. Hoy

I agree with my hon. Friend in that everybody wants something to be done about something. I also agree that there is always a fair amount of unanimity when it comes to people not wanting to pay. I am not being unfair to the fishing industry when I say that one would not regard its opinion as always being unanimous. This being so, the Government must reach the best decision they can in an effort to meet the needs of both the producer and the consumer.