asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will approve the application by the Scarborough and Bridlington Fish Producers Association Ltd. on behalf of King's Lynn fishermen, to release 60 acres of the Thief Sand for private mussel lays in the Wash; and if he will make a statement.

I have received an application from the Eastern Sea Fisheries Committee for authority to grant to Scarborough and Bridlington Fish Producers Association Limited 60 acres of private mussel layings. The committee informed me on 24 March that it had arranged to advertise the proposal specifying that any objections would have to be lodged by 26 April. I shall consider the application in the light of such objections as have been received.