§ 26. Mr. McNamaraasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the negotiations with the fishing industry on his review into the operating subsidy for the deep-sea fishing fleet after mid-1971.
§ 28. Mr. James Johnsonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to give his decision upon the terms of the subsidy for the deep-sea fishing fleet to come into operation in mid-1971.
§ Mr. McNamaraI am grateful for that information. Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House, first, that it is the Government's intention to maintain the subsidy to the fishing industry as it is at the moment; secondly, that it is their intention to maintain the present system of awarding efficiency grants and the subsidy; and, thirdly, what will be the effect upon the subsidy in the event of our entering the E.E.C.?
§ Mr. PriorI should not like to anticipate the consultations which I shall have tomorrow, nor to give views to the House now on the outcome of those consultations and the Government's decision; but I shall communicate that to the House at the earliest possible moment.
As for the effect of entry into the Common Market on the deep-sea fishing industry, there are certain problems, as the hon. Gentleman knows, but subsidy is not a question which has yet arisen.