§ Mr. Hicksasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations are being made by the Government to the EEC Commission in respect of the differences that exist between the Community's schedule and the current United Kingdom practice in the grading of mackerel and associated species; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartWe are ensuring that the Commission is aware of the position wherever any section of industry considers that present Community classifications by freshness and size do not correspond to commercial needs. If any specific problem on mackerel, on which grading practice is not standardised in the United Kingdom, is brought to our notice, for example by any intending producers' organisation, we shall take it up.
§ Mr. Hicksasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are 516W the chief ports, other than those located in Cornwall and Devon, where mackerel and comparable species are landed, the quantities in weight landed in 1971 and 1972, and the average price per stone obtained by fishermen at these ports in these two years for mackerel going for human consumption.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartThe main ports for mackerel outside Cornwall and Devon are in Scotland, although much smaller quantities are landed there.
Landings for all purposes at the main ports there in 1971 and 1972 were as follows:
MACKEREL LANDED (cwts.) 1971 1972 Aberdeen 1,698 4,378 Fraserburgh 4,913 1,751 Lerwick 3,792 1,400 Mallaig 2,568 15,594 Campbeltown 3,055 2,147 Ayr 9,339 7,894 Average prices for mackerel going for human consumption are not readily available, but the average realised on sales to all outlets was lower than the corresponding average for Cornwall and Devon.