Acquisition of private fisheries
The Minister said fisheries would be acquired case by case when needed for better management, and that the £10 estimate did not limit spending. He was unsure whether acquisition would require an order before the House and undertook no definite follow-up.
asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he will outline his policy in regard to the acquisition of private fisheries which come on the market.
Comment on this
The acquisition of private fisheries that come on the market will be considered on their merits. It is not intended that there will be global acquisition of all private fisheries but that the power under the new Fisheries Bill will be utilised in appropriate cases where the fishery is required in the interest of better management of fisheries generally.
Comment on this
Is the Minister aware that only £10 is provided in the Estimates for the acquisition of fisheries?
Comment on this
If a particular fishery comes on the market, or we feel that it should be acquired in the interests of fishermen and the country generally, that fishery will be acquired. The provision of £10 is not an indication of our interests. We will make provision as the occasion demands.