§ Mr. Corrieasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the number and total tonnage of fishing vessels permanently alienated from fishing in 1973 and 1975.
§ Mr. BishopAs alienation may or may not form part of a replacement programme the most useful data are those showing net changes in fleet composition. Available figures showing movements in the Great Britain fleet during the years 1973–1975 are as follows:
due to EEC intervention policies; and what is his estimate of the effect on beef prices in the shops.
§ Mr. BishopThe majority of beef recently taken into intervention in the United Kingdom has been offered in 71W Northern Ireland. My right hon. Friend announced on 1st April in reply to the hon. Member for Belfast, West (Mr. Fitt)—[Vol. 908, c. 566–7]—measures designed, amongst other things to reduce the impact of intervention there and release more meat for fresh consumption. My right hon. Friend and I will keep the situation under review throughout the United Kingdom in the light of these measures and of the planned rise in the target prices for beef premium over the next two months. It is not possible to give a precise estimate of the impact of intervention on retail prices but it is likely to be relatively small over the United Kingdom as a whole. Premiums are continuing to allow cosumers to benefit from lower prices than would have resulted from a support system relying on intervention only.