HL Deb 16 November 1978 vol 396 cc807-9

3.17 p.m.

Baroness EMMET of AMBERLEY

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 what action they propose to take on the recent NFU report about the disadvantages from which British fish farming suffers.

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, the fisheries Departments have opened discussions with the National Farmers' Unions of England and Wales and Scotland.

Baroness EMMET of AMBERLEY

My Lords, I did not quite gather the final conclusion of the noble Lord's reply. May I ask him whether he noted in the document The Fishing Industry, at paragraph 28, that it says that they welcome both the National Farmers' Union and the Expenditure Committee reports? It continues: the Government have already undertaken to seek to clarify the legal position on this and on some other minor points concerning fish farming when Parliamentary time allows". Might those last four words be left out? Secondly it says: The views of the Government on the remaining proposals will be made known as soon as possible". Could those last four words also be left out?

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, these issues are complex. The National Farmers' Unions took 18 months to reach their conclusions. Their report was only published in August. The Departments have had to have time to consider it and also to discuss this with other Departments. They have already set up talks with the National Farmers' Union of Scotland and they are meeting the National Farmers' Unions of England and Wales today.

The Earl of HALSBURY

My Lords, will the noble Lord remember that fish farming in artificially warmed water is a marvellous use of waste heat? Could some of the Government's zeal for fuel economy be allowed to rub off on fish farming?

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, I agree. The Government want to see the development of a healthy, viable sector which will make a useful contribution to food production from the efficient use of resources in competition with other demands from those resources.

Lord SANDYS

My Lords, arising out of the Government's reply to the noble Baroness, could the noble Lord, Lord Strabolgi, tell us whether a Fisheries Training Board is contemplated, as recommended by the report?

Lord STRABOLGI

Yes, my Lords. Agreement in principal has also been reached in discussions with deep sea, inshore and union representatives on the establishment of a joint training council. It is expected that this will be formally set up in the near future, I am glad to say.

Lord NUGENT of GUILDFORD

My Lords, will the Government bear in mind that there are other interests affected besides the fish farmers? There are the fishery interests, both game and coarse fishing, and there are the environmental interests. Where fish farming takes place, where large numbers of fish are kept under artificial and intensive conditions, there are serious implications of disease and environmental effects which need careful control.

Lord STRABOLGI

Yes, my Lords, I agree with the noble Lord. That is why we are having to discuss this matter with a number of different Departments.

Lord LEATHERLAND

My Lords, may I, as one who lives almost entirely on fish, ask my noble friend whether he is aware of the fact that many of us are very pleased at the encouragement which the Government are giving to fish farming?

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend.

Lord BALERNO

My Lords, are the Government aware that the Diseases of Fish Act 1937 is now completely out of date and out of tune with modern circumstances and with the new diseases which have been discovered? Would not the Minister agree that on this score alone legislation is urgently required?

Lord STRABOLGI

Yes, my Lords, I agree with the noble Lord; but fish disease matters, the implications of which extend beyond fish farming, would need a separate Bill.