§ Mr. Sproatasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the number of fishing vessels laid un or transferred to non-fishing duties in the latest 12 months for which figures are available; and how many persons this has rendered unemployed directly or indirectly, respectively, or transferred from work connected with fishing to work not connected with fishing.
§ Mr. BishopBoth active fishing and laying up are part of the normal pattern of operation and management of fishing vessels. Their deployment is affected by a variety of economic and non-economic factors. Estimates of the effect on overall job opportunities are, therefore, unreliable. For the United Kingdom as a whole the following figures indicate the changes in the active fleet between 31st December 1975 and 31st December 1976:
Committee on the Export of Live Animals are being implemented.
§ Mr. StrangThis article contains no substantiated information that any breach of the regulations which protect the welfare of exported animals has occurred or that there has been any mistreatment of these animals. I remain satisfied that the current arrangements for the protection of exported animals, which are 57W based on the recommendations of the O'Brien Committee, properly safeguard their welfare.