§ Mr. Beithasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if, in view of the policy of Her Majesty's Government to reduce the number of appointed public bodies, he will not proceed with plans to set up 10 such bodies to regulate inshore fishing;
(2) what suggestions his Department has made to interested bodies about the composition of appointed public bodies which it is proposed to set up for the regulation of inshore fisheries; and why it is planned that sea fishermen should be massively outnumbered on such bodies.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithOfficials of my Department have recently held informal consultations with representative bodies on a number of policy issues relating to fisheries, fishing and fish farming in inland and coastal waters. All these bodies were invited to submit suggestions in writing. The suggestions to which the hon. Member refers do not represent Government policy and no decisions have been taken at this stage. In any proposals that may emerge the interest of sea fishermen will of course be taken fully into account.