§ Mr. Leadbitterasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with the British Trawler Federation, other representatives of the fishing industry, and the white fish and herring authorities in respect of the state of the fishing industries, capital investment and research facilities ; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartThe Fisheries Department has been consulting the industry and the statutory bodies on the arrangements for grants and loans for fishing vessels. The present scheme is38W due to expire at the end of the year and I hope to make a statement shortly. There have been no consultations about research facilities specifically, but the industry and the statutory bodies are represented on the Fisheries Research and Development Board which advises Ministers on the programmes of the departmental laboratories and the White Fish Authority.