§ 39. Mr. Wallasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what immediate plans he has to support the catching section of the fishing industry.
§ Mr. PeartI am considering with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland what special rates of subsidy should be paid for the remainder of the year ending 31st July next.
§ 40. Mr. Wallasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his review of the fishing industry and announce plans for its future.
§ 71. Mr. James Johnsonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to be able to make his statement about the review of the fishing industry.
§ Mr. PeartAs I said in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Kingston-upon-Hull, West (Mr. James Johnson) on 25th October, I hope that the review will be completed by the end of the year.—[Vol. 751, c. 504.]
§ 65. Mr. Wolrige-Gordonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his policy with reference to the expansion of the inshore fishing fleet.
§ Mr. PeartSince 1961 it has been the policy of successive Governments that Exchequer assistance should not result in an expansion of the inshore fishing fleet. Future policy is being considered in the current Review.
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§ 70. Mr. James Johnsonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimates he has made of the effects of the devaluation measures upon the fishing industry.
§ Mr. PeartIt is too early to make precise assessments of increases in costs, but the industry's share of the domestic market should increase and its exports should become more competitive in overseas markets.
§ Mr. James Johnsonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what help he is giving the fishing industry to assist their export trade, particularly in the light of the situation following devaluation of the £ sterling.
§ Mr. PeartBy giving exporters higher returns in terms of sterling for sales in overseas markets, devaluation will itself assist the export trade.