§ 21. Mr. Sproatasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the latest state of that part of the fishing industry for which he is responsible.
§ Mr. StrangThe strong upward movement in quayside prices since 1974 has contributed to substantially improved prospects. Earnings for the major ports in England and Wales for the first four months of 1976 were 18 per cent. up on the same period last year. Although costs continue to rise and areas of difficulty may remain, there are no indications that the fleets generally will fish unprofitably this year, unless circumstances change drastically.