§ Mr. Prescottasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is 512W satisfied that the public investment by the Government in the conversion of the Hull fish dock is protected in the present financial crisis.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithDecisions about the public investment in the fish dock at Hull were taken in light of the best estimates which could be made at that time of the future prospects of the fishing industry. It will be for the British Transport Docks Board to consider the future of the dock in the event of its being no longer required by the fishing industry.
§ Mr. Prescottasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many people were employed in the fish meal and processing industry in the port of Hull for each year since 1970.
§ Mr. Jim LesterI have been asked to reply.
My Department's employment statistics are analysed according to the minimum list headings of the standard industrial classification.
The manufacture of fish meal is included in the heading "Animal and Poultry Foods" (MLH 219) and fish processing is included in the heading "Bacon Curing, Meat and Fish Products" (MLH 214). The numbers of employees in employment in each of these headings for each year from 1971 to 1977, the latest date for which information is available, are shown in the following table:
EMPLOYEES IN EMPLOYMENT: HULL EMPLOYMENT OFFICE AREA Thousands Animal and Poultry Foods (MLH 219) Bacon Curing, Meat and Fish Products (MLH 214) 1971 1.1 3.1 1972 1.2 3.2 1973 0.9 3.9 1974 0.8 4.0 1975 0.7 3.7 1976 0.7 3.7 1977 0.7 3.6