§ 86. Mr. John Hallasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action is being taken to ensure that reasonable commercial considerations are taken into account by the White Fish Authority before making loans to fishing vessel operators.
314Wvessels reported during the last 10 years was 194.
§ Mr. HoyMy right hon. Friend has satisfied himself that the Authority take account of reasonable commercial considerations so far as is consistent with their function of supplementing commercial sources of credit, but the detailed rules are being revised as recommended by the Estimates Committee.
§ 87. Mr. Dewarasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will adopt a policy of varying the reduction in the operating subsidies under the Sea Fish Industry Act, 1962, for different sections of the deep-sea fishing fleet, in view of the Sixth Report from the Estimates Committee, 1966–67, on Assistance to the Fishing Industry.
§ 91. Mr. James Johnsonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in the light of the 6th Report of the Estimates Committee, 1966–67, on assistance to the fishing industry, he is now considering a decision to alter his financial policy of aid to the deep-sea fishing fleet; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PeartMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I are considering the recommendations of the Estimates Committee and our observations will be submitted to the Committee in due course.
§ 88. Mr. Dewarasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the progress being made by the White Fish Authority with the establishment of a minimum prices 315W scheme for the industry; and whether, in view of the Sixth Report from the Estimates Committee, 1966–67, on Assistance to the Fishing Industry, he will reconsider the Government's attitude to Treasury support for such a scheme.
§ Mr. HoyWe are satisfied with the Authority's progress; the question of Exchequer support does not arise at this stage.
§ 89. Mr. Wallasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what objections he has received from inshore fishermen about the White Fish Authority's proposals for a statutory minimum price scheme.