§ Mr. Martenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if there are currently adequate supplies of cod, haddock, plaice, halibut trout and prawns to the British consumer; whether any shortages are foreseen; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Bishop:Supplies of several species of fish have been generally but not uniformly diminishing over recent months due to declining stocks, the need to take 843W extreme measures in some cases to conserve the stocks and changes in access to fishing grounds. On individual species the supply position may vary from time to time with changes in biological factors. As to the future much will depend on biological factors, the conservation measures adopted and the fishing opportunities available.