HC Deb 22 July 1960 vol 627 cc75-6W
Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware of the growing tension between Iceland and Great Britain arising from the recent interference by a Danish warship with British fishing vessels in the fishing grounds off Iceland; if he will give details, with names, of this incident; and what steps he is taking to protect British fishing vessels in these waters.

Mr. Hare

I know of no interference by a Danish warship with British fishing vessels in Icelandic waters.

Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will state the subjects discussed and conclusions reached at his interview on 14th July, 1960, with representatives of the British Trawlers Federation Limited; and what information regarding fishing limits and progress made towards agreement with Iceland on the current dispute has been circulated to masters and owners of trawlers as a result of the meeting.

U.K. SUPPLIES OF CARCASE MEAT ('000 tons)
1957 Home Production Imports Total Supplies Home Production as Per cent. of Total Supplies
Beef and Veal 821.7 460.0 1,281.7 64.1
Mutton and Lamb 199.0 334.9 533.9 37.3
Pork 379.2 24.8 404.0 93.9
Bacon and Ham 211.5 332.3 543.8 38.9
1,611.4 1,152.0 2,763.4 58.3
1958
Beef and Veal 812.6 402.4 1,215.0 66.9
Mutton and Lamb 190.0 339.8 529.8 35.9
Pork 424.3 18.5 442.8 95.8
Bacon and Ham 219.8 338.2 558.0 39.4
1,646.7 1,098.9 2,745.6 60.0
1959
Beef and Veal 718.5 356.1 1,074.6 66.9
Mutton and Lamb 246.2 365.0 611.2 40.3
Pork 423.2 14.0 437.2 96.8
Bacon and Ham 215.6 348.0 563.6 38.3
1,603.5 1,083.1 2,686.6 59.7

Mr. Hare

This was one of a series of meetings which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I have been holding with representatives of the trawler owners and of the work-people's side of the National Joint Industrial Council for the Fishing Industry to keep under review developments on fishery limit matters. One of the points discussed was the recent incidents off Iceland and, following the meeting, the Associations and Unions concerned decided that a message should be sent to skippers of trawlers fishing off Iceland emphasising the importance of their observing their owners' present instructions not to fish within 12 miles of Iceland.

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