8. Mr. W. H. K. Bakerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now make a statement concerning the increase in home-produced fishmeal.
§ Mr. StodartHome production of fishmeal has remained fairly stable over the last five years, at about 85,000 tons per annum.
Mr. BakerWill my hon. Friend reconsider the arrangement whereby only 12 10 per cent. of small fish are now allowed to be landed under the present arrangements, and would he agree that a great number of small fish have wastefully to be returned to the sea, and that if more were allowed to be landed it would help with the supplies of fishmeal?
§ Mr. StodartI think that this is largely a question of balance, because if industrial fishing were extended along the lines my hon. Friend suggests I think we should require to locate extra sources of suitable species to provide raw materials all the year round. It seems to me a mistake to do this if it would cause us to import more fish.