§ Considered in Committee.
§ [Mr. OSCAR MURTON in the Chair]
§ Mr. Walter Clegg (North Fylde)On a point of order, Mr. Murton. This morning we shall be discussing the Fishery Limits Bill, which deals with the 200-mile limit. It appears from this morning's Press that Mr. Gundelach has reached provisional agreement with Iceland. That is bound to affect the debates that we are having and the attitudes that hon. Members will take. I wonder whether it will be possible for the Minister to make a statement on the possible repercussions affecting the fishing industry.
§ The ChairmanIf, in fact, any statement which may be made is relevant to any matter under discussion in any of the amendments, that will be in order, if the Minister so desires.
§ Mr. James Johnson (Kingston upon Hull, West)Further to that point of order, Mr. Murton. I assure the hon. Member for North Fylde (Mr. Clegg) that some hon. Members on the Government side of the House, particularly myself, will be raising this matter and will make sure that during the course of the debate the Minister is asked to make a statement on those lines.
§ Mr. Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull, Central)Further to that point of order, Mr. Murton. Are you aware that what we have is an expectation and a hope rather than a firm promise from Iceland, and that the news has originated from the Commissioners and not from the Icelandic Government?
§ Mr. Patrick Wall (Haltemprice)Further to that point of order, Mr. Murton. Are we not counting our red herrings before they have been hatched? The report in the Press is very tentative, and depends on agreement with Iceland. That will not be easy to obtain.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Hugh D. Brown)Further to that point of order, Mr. Murton. It might be helpful if I told the House that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will be dealing with one of the major debates on the 50-mile exclusive zone. I shall draw my right hon. Friend's attention to what has been said.