§ 24. Mr. Wallasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to reorganise the White Fish Authority and the Herring Industry Board and consider their possible amalgamation.
§ 27. Mr. James Johnsonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has for the future financing of the White Fish Authority.
§ 40. Mr. McNamaraasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his policy in regard to an increase in the powers of the White Fish Authority.
§ Mr. PriorI have not yet had an opportunity to meet the Chairman of the Authority or to discuss issues such as these with the industry. Both steps should, I think, precede any proposals which could involve legislation.
§ Mr. WallWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind the recommendation of the Select Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries and consider setting up a committee to look into the whole problem of the White Fish Authority and the Herring Industry Board?
§ Mr. PriorI shall always give consideration to Select Committee Reports, but I do not wish to get involved in setting up a committee to look at an authority.
§ Mr. JohnsonI am glad to see a Member for a fishing port at the Dispatch Box. Has the right hon. Gentleman forgotten that when he was on these benches he consistently and persistently attacked the White Fish Authority which he wished to see abolished? Why can 227 he not be consistent and come clean about the whole matter?
§ Mr. PriorI have not forgotten. I doubted whether the needs of the industry were best served in the present form of organisation, but the House would not expect me to have had proper consultations in the month that we have been in office. When I have, I shall bring forward legislative proposals.
§ Mr. McNamaraHaving heard the right hon. Gentleman's comments, may I ask when he is likely to come to the House with a considered opinion on this problem? Is he aware that many hon. Members want to see the White Fish Authority considerably strengthened, for example, by giving it control of training within the industry?
§ Mr. GrimondWe appreciate that the right hon. Gentleman must have time to look at this, but will he bear in mind that there is a strong case for amalgamating these authorities, and that many fishermen in the North of Scotland are confused about where they should make applications for grant? As the building of bigger ships is becoming more and more necessary, the case for amalgamation is very strong indeed.