HC Deb 13 November 1929 vol 231 cc2043-4
Mr. SINKINSON

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he could give the House any information on the disaster to the Scottish fishing fleet in East Anglian waters?

The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Mr. William Adamson)

I am deeply grieved to announce that a serious disaster befell the Scottish fishing fleet off the East Anglian coast on Monday afternoon. The fleet put to sea early in the morning, before the gale warning reached the skippers, and proceeded to the fishing ground, where they shot their nets. About 1 p.m., when all the nets were out, a gale of great fury swept the fleet, with the result that two drifters were sunk and three lives lost. Some 200 vessels fishing from Lowestoft lost 11,000 nets, and 400 vessels fishing from Yarmouth lost 20,000 nets. The present value of the nets lost is about £90,000, and the cost of replacement will be about £150,000. Many of the Scottish vessels have now no nets, and may be compelled to abandon fishing and return home. I would express my keenest sympathy, and I am sure the sympathy of this House, with the relatives of the men who have lost their lives and with all these brave and kindly men who, with their families, are thus stricken further into distress through circumstances over which they hold no control.

Mr. DUNCAN MILLAR

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will consider taking steps to meet the urgent need of the men who have lost their nets and assist them to replace the gear which they are unable to replace themselves?

Mr. ADAMSON

I am continuing my inquiries into the magnitude of the disaster. It is clearly impossible for me at the moment to add anything to the answer which I have given.

Sir A. SINCLAIR

Has the right hon. Gentleman the names of the two boats which were lost and their home ports?

Mr. ADAMSON

No, I do not know the ports to which the ships belong, but I have the names of the two men who were lost—two Scotsmen. An English fisherman also lost his life. I do not know the names of the boats or the ports from which they come.

Marquess of TITCHFIELD

May I ask whether any of these boats were insured?

Mr. ADAMSON

I cannot answer that question. I am not sure of the position. I fear that the nets will not be insured, but I am not in a position to say so.

Mr. ALBERY

In view of the magnitude of this disaster to the fishing fleet, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will consider approaching the Lord Mayor of London with a view to opening a National Fund to replace these nets?