§ MR. T. E. ELLIS (Merionethshire)asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade, Whether, having regard to the fact that, between Holyhead and Milford Haven, there is no port or harbour of refuge into which a boat drawing eight feet six inches of water can run at all states of the tide, that the absence of suck harbour accommodation seriously cripples the success of fishing and trawling on that coast, and occasions serious loss of life every year, he will appoint a Departmental Committee to visit Fish-guard, Aberystwith, Aberdovey, Bar-mouth, St. Tudwell's, and other places, to inquire what steps could, and should, be taken for the further protection of the lives and industry of fishermen and traders along the Welsh Coast?
§ THE SECRETARY (Baron HENRY DE WORMS) (Liverpool, East Toxteth)Her Majesty's Government have no intention of departing from the policy of successive Governments in past years, under which they have hitherto declined to make grants of public money for harbour construction except in cases of Imperial and national necessity. Under the circumstances, it would not appear that any advantage would result from the appointment of a Committee as proposed by the hon. Member. If the hon. Member's Question has reference to the grants of loans to fishing harbours through the Public Works Loan Com- 744 missioners, I would refer him to my statement on the subject in Committee of Supply and a Minute of the Treasury to the Board of Trade which I then communicated to the Committee.