§ 41 and 42. Mr. McNamaraasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what representations he has received from fishing interests about pollution in the North Sea; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what representations he has made to foreign governments about North Sea pollution and the damage to international fishing interests; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PriorBoth the British Trawlers Federation Ltd. and the Scottish Inshore White Fish Producers Association Ltd. have asked for comments on a recent Press report of pollution of the North Sea.
My Department has, for some years, been keeping a close check on the possible effects of pollution and we play an active rôle in international discussions. There is no evidence that, apart from some local damage in estuaries and coastal waters, North Sea fish stocks have been affected by existing levels of pollution.