§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received for further national conservation measures based on (a) increased mesh sizes, (b) one net rule, (c) a ban on, or restriction of, beam trawling and (d) restriction of industrial fishing; and whether he has any proposals for introducing such measures.
§ Mr. BishopMy Department has received many representations on these and related issues. It was announced in a written reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull, West (Mr. Johnson) on 22 March—[Vol. 964, c.683]—that if no agreement could be reached on equally effective Community proposals the Government intend to introduce certain further national conservation measures including increases in whitefish mesh sizes. My right hon. Friend continues to stand ready to introduce such national measures as are necessary to conserve fish stocks in our waters.