HL Deb 28 July 1964 vol 260 cc963-4

2.35 p.m.

LORD BOOTHBY

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether investigations are still being made by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea into the causes of the dearth of herring in the North Sea; and whether any reports have yet been received.]

THE MINISTER OF STATE, SCOTTISH OFFICE (LORD CRAIGTON)

My Lords, investigations are continuing with all possible diligence on this complex subject, and our own scientists are making their contribution to the international study. A report was made by the Council to the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission at their meeting in May. The Commission have invited the Council to continue their study of the state of the stocks of herring in the Convention area, which includes the North Sea. A further report is expected to be made to the Commission at their meeting in May, 1965.

LORD BOOTHBY

My Lords, arising out of that Answer, will my noble friend bear in mind that the investigations of this Council take longer and longer, and the scarcity of herring, meanwhile, becomes greater and greater? Can he bring some pressure upon the Council to make their final report as soon as possible?

LORD CRAIGTON

My Lords, what the noble Lord says is, I think, fully appreciated by the Council. As he knows, this is a very tricky subject for them, and there are many divergent views. But I think the whole of the area is concerned, just as is the noble Lord, about the herring problem.

LORD BOOTHBY

My Lords, if I may ask one more question, will my noble friend give a directive on the part of the British Government that these marine biologists have got to agree? They are almost as bad as the economists.

LORD CRAIGTON

My Lords, I do not think it is for Ministers to give directives to anybody, including your Lordships' House, that they have got to agree.

BARONESS SUMMERSKILL

My Lords, can the noble Lord tell the amateurs on this subject what they do if they agree that there is a dearth?

LORD CRAIGTON

My Lords, if they agree that there is a dearth, they find out the cause of the dearth, and then they can, we hope, do something about it.

BARONESS SUMMERSKILL

May we know what?

LORD STONHAM

My Lords, can the noble Lord give a forecast as to when it will be possible to buy bloaters at the fishmongers?

LORD CRAIGTON

My Lords, I am afraid that is another matter, and the noble Lord should put down a Question.