HC Deb 21 May 1981 vol 5 cc410-1
12. Mr. John MacKay

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has yet received recommendations from his special advisers about improving the marketing of fish.

Mr. Peter Walker

No, Sir.

Mr. MacKay

Will my right hon. Friend accept that the marketing problem is real and that the new sea fisheries industry will have to take marketing seriously, especially in relation to wet fish? Does my right hon. Friend agree that if North Sea herring fishing is opened up, in addition to the Clyde herring fishing, good herrings might be landed but the market might not be there to cope with them?

Mr. Walker

Yes. I expect positive proposals from the marketing advisers. Widespread talks with the trade have taken place, as well as with the fish and chip shops and fast food industries. I have no doubt that improvements can be made in the marketing of fish in Britain.

Mr. Mason

If the right hon. Gentleman has not received the report on the marketing of fish, has he received the report on fish imports? If he has, what are its findings?

Mr. Walker

We have received a report on fish imports. We are meeting the industry to discuss the subject of that report at the beginning of June.