§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will be in a position to indicate a long-term plan for the fish processing industry; and what steps he proposes to take in the short-term to save the industry from extinction due to the shortage of fish supplies.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithI am aware that the fish processing industry faces difficulties as a result of the uncertainties surrounding the common fisheries policy. The Government will be seeking a satisfactory settlement of the negotiations with our EEC partners so that the industry may have a clear view of future prospects on which to base its plans. Whilst some species of fish are in short supply total fish supplies in the United Kingdom increased by 13 per cent. in 1978 compared with 1977 and there are no indications that the position has86W deteriorated in the first few months of 1979. I have announced the introduction of further measures on mesh sizes which will come into operation on 1 July, and which will allow fish catches to be increased in the long term.