§ 53. Mr. Osborneasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that the imports of Icelandic fish last year were 2,300,000 cwts. against 500,000 cwts. prewar; and, in view of the imminent danger of the British fishing industry collapsing and causing widespread unemployment, if he will take immediate steps to control the import of foreign-caught fish.
Mr. T. WilliamsImports of fish from Iceland were 1,533,000 cwts. in 1949. In the first quarter of this year they have fallen by 40 per cent. Imports of foreign-caught fish are not the only cause of the present difficulties of the British fishing industry, which, as my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has already announced, are being examined by the Departments concerned.