§ 6.14 p.m.
THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD (EARL ST. ALDWYN)My Lords, with your Lordships' permission I should like to make a statement about the White Fish Subsidy. After further consideration it has been decided to withdraw the White Fish Subsidy (United Kingdom) No. 2 Scheme, 1955, and to lay a new Scheme forthwith. The effect will be to substitute in the case of white fish landed from inshore vessels of 70 ft. and under in length, grants of 8d. in place of 6d. a stone in respect of gutted fish and of 6d. in place of 4d. a stone in respect of ungutted fish. There will be consequential amendments of the voyage payments for seiners of 70 ft. and under in length which become eligible for voyage payments under the Scheme. The new Scheme will be laid to-day and printed copies will be available in the Printed Paper Office to-morrow morning.
§ THE EARL OF LISTOWELMy Lords, I am grateful to the noble Earl for making that statement. It is rare that a Government has second thoughts twice on successive days, but if those second thoughts are an improvement on their first thoughts they are extremely welcome and, to my mind, a sign of strength rather than weakness. I welcome this statement. I think the more generous terms of the proposed subsidy will make a great difference to the white fish industry. Because the time factor is important—if I remember rightly the existing scheme expires at the end of the year—I should like to ask the noble Earl when he will submit the revised Scheme to your Lordships' House.