HC Deb 11 February 1970 vol 795 cc1246-7
23. Mr. Wall

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his decision on a statutory minimum prices scheme for white fish.

Mr. Hoy

I have nothing to add to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Kingston-upon-Hull, North (Mr. McNamara) on 22nd January.—[Vol 794, c. 187.]

Mr. Wall

When is this suggestion likely to be approved, and are the Government likely to make a contribution?

Mr. Hoy

The answer to the last part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question is that there will be no Government contribution. The answer to the first part is that we are consulting the authority about certain modifications to the scheme, and we hope to make an announcement shortly.

Mr. McNamara

While this scheme is to be welcomed, may I ask my hon. Friend to realise that the industry could well afford it without a Government contribution? Is he aware that by getting a stable bottom price for fish the industry will be helped considerably?

Mr. Hoy

That has been our concern from the beginning. The Instrument confirming the scheme will be subject to the affirmative procedure of both Houses, which means that when we have the scheme before us hon. Members will have an opportunity to debate it. Again, I cannot say that there is unanimity of opinion in the fishing industry about the value or otherwise of the scheme.

Mr. Stodart

Since the right hon. Gentleman appears unable to tell us anything about the scheme, will he give his views on the schemes relating to Scotland and Northern Ireland which were submitted last April and are still before Ministers? Has he nothing to say about them?

Mr. Hoy

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman has misunderstood me. The only scheme we are considering at present is the Scottish one. No schemes are before us for the rest of the United Kingdom. The Scots decided to go on with a scheme of their own. I understood that the hon. Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall) had the Scottish scheme in mind when he tabled the Question. I have, therefore, been referring all along to the Scottish scheme.

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