§ Mr. Cledwyn Hughesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give details of the number of fish farms in the United Kingdom which have commenced operating as a commercial activity since 1970; how many of those are principally or exclusively concerned with the production of fish for food; and what proportion of the total output of farmed fish is accounted for by those fish farms operating since 1970.
§ Mr. John SilkinCentral records of United Kingdom fish farms are not maintained. However, it is estimated that there are now about 400 compared with only a handful in 1970. It is believed that the large majority are concerned with the production of fish for food rather than for640W sport. All but a very small proportion of the total output of farmed fish is accounted for by those fish farms established since 1970.
§ Mr. Cledwyn Hughesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, to what extent the growth of fish farming activity since January 1970 has been reflected in the demand for diagnostic services from his Department's veterinary and fish disease laboratories.
§ Mr. John SilkinThe demand for diagnostic services in relation to notifiable diseases of fish has increased since 1970 in paralled with the growth in fish farming.