§ 45. Mr. James Johnsonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what communications he has had 192W from the British Trawlers' Federation and other United Kingdom fisheries organisations regarding the future financial difficulties facing their operations; what estimates have been given him of their expected deficits for 12 months from 1st September 1974 to 31st August 1975; and if he will make a statement regarding any steps he proposes to take in the matter.
§ Mr. BishopI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given at Question Time today to the hon. Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall). The federation has given me estimates, covering only its own membership, for the 12 months' period ending 30th September 1975 and based on prices expected to prevail which are notoriously difficult to predict. Parallel forecasts have not been received from other United Kingdom bodies. As the fleet picture is thus incomplete discussion of purely sectional forecasts could be misleading at this stage.