HL Deb 16 December 1976 vol 378 cc1013-5

3.13 p.m.

Lord STRATHCONA and MOUNT ROYAL

My Lords, on behalf of my noble colleague Lord Kennet, who is having a tooth out, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in his name on the Order Paper. In doing so, may I call the attention of the House to a misprint in the sixth line, which should read, "to the discounted capital value".

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the consideration of "future prospects for the fishing industry" referred to in a Written Answer on 28th June 1976 (Official Report, volume 372, col.658), to the Question, "Why the 1975 White Paper, Food from our own Resources, did not mention fish" is now in progress; why, if it is, figures relating to numbers of jobs (both directly and indirectly related to the fishing industry) and to the discount capital value as a national asset of fish in the British 200 nautical mile zone are not being collected; and why, if figures of this kind arc required by Government for planning the future of other industries, Her Majesty's Government consider they are not required for the fishing industry.

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, the consultations referred to by my noble friend Lord Kennet are now in progress. Statistics about the number of fishermen were given in my reply of 2nd November. It is usually reckoned that each seagoing job supports between three and five shorebased jobs. Estimates related to the remainder of the Question would be speculative and would not justify the cost involved.

Lord STRATHCONA and MOUNT ROYAL

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that Answer, but is it not rather strange that we attempt to evaluate the discounted capital value of assets like North Sea oil and agricultural produce but neglect to assess the value of an asset like the fish in the waters surrounding this country?

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, such estimates are of course always speculative, depending as they do on assumptions about future levels of interest rates and values of the asset or commodity involved. In this case, the degree of speculation is extended even further given that the quantity of fish to be exploited will depend on the nature and effectiveness of the conservation regime to be adopted and the volatile nature of fish prices.

Baroness EMMET of AMBERLEY

My Lords, in view of the fact that the fishing industry in the deep waters is very much to the forefront at the moment, may I point out that one cannot separate what is happening in the deep waters from what is happening at home in fish farming? How are the Government getting on with their Working Party and the possibility of a Bill to help this industry?

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, I think that the Government's view as to fish farming and its importance has been made clear on a number of occasions in this House. As I have told the noble Baroness previously, a report is expected next year and I believe that we shall have to await that.

Baroness EMMET of AMBERLEY

My Lords, can the noble Lord say whether it will be at the beginning or the end of next year?

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, I am afraid that I cannot speculate on that.