HC Deb 08 February 1979 vol 962 cc537-8
4. Mr. Costain

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when next he will meet the chairman of the White Fish Authority.

The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. E. S. Bishop)

My right hon. Friend has no immediate plans to do so, but there is close and continuing contact between the Authority and my Department at all levels.

Mr. Costain

Does the Minister recall that when he visited the port of Folkestone some years ago the fishermen there impressed upon him the sheer necessity for conservation of fish stock? Is he satisfied that everything is being done to see that the fish are being properly conserved?

Mr. Bishop

I do recall the visit and the representations the hon. Member has made since on this matter. He will be aware of the significant number of conservation orders put before the House in the last few months and earlier. He will also be aware of the order laid on 6 December last—the White Fish Authority (Researeh and Development Grants) Order—which raises the amount of money available from central funds to the authority by £1 million. Not only is conservation important; so are other aids to the industry to make it viable.

Mr. Powell

When do the Government expect to announce the general scope of the conservation measures which will be imposed in 1979 in relation to those which were imposed in 1978 and 1977?

Mr. Bishop

We are taking action continually to conserve certain species of fish. Apart from that, it is important to get the agreement of the Community on these matters. This is receiving our urgent attention.

Mr. John Home Robertson

When my right hon. Friend meets members of the White Fish Authority will he ask them to ensure, when they are allocating grants for building new fishing vessels, that orders for new boats are spread fairly around the country? Will he particularly bear in mind Eyemouth, in my constituency?

Mr. Bishop

I am sure that the Authority will bear in mind the points made by my hon. Friend. The most important thing is to know the future shape of the industry by getting an early resolution of the common fisheries policy.

Mr. Shepherd

Can the Minister give any indication of when he will bring forward legislation to clarify and redefine the position of the White Fish Authority, as presaged some seven years ago?

Mr. Bishop

The hon. Member will be aware of the recommendation of the Trade and Industry Sub-Committee that this should be done. However, I do not think that the Sub-Committee stressed urgency. There is a great deal of integration between the two organisations principally concerned and we are in consultation with them towards that end.