§ 20. Mr. Luceasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea has reported on researches into the effects of trawling, and especially beam trawling, on the biological resources of the sea bed; and what action he intends to take thereon.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartThe report will be presented to the meeting of the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission in June next year. The use of the larger beam trawls is banned within our limits, but I propose to consult the industry on the desirability of further restrictions as a precautionary measure pending consideration of the report.