§ MR. HARRY FOSTER (Suffolk, Lowestoft)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that at a meeting of smack owners recently held in Lowestoft it was proved to their satisfaction by the masters of fishing smacks that the wreck of the Elbe was most dangerous to the trawlers, and that already a considerable amount of damage has been done to fishing property; whether he is also aware that further application has been made to the Trinity House to place a gas buoy on the spot, the fishing trade in Lowestoft having undertaken to defray the expenses of such buoy after it had been so placed; whether he is aware that the authorities of Trinity House have replied that the wreck does not lie within their jurisdiction, that they have no means available for dealing with it, and that they consequently regret they are unable to comply with the request; and, whether he is aware that the value of the fishing vessels and their gear fishing out of the Port of Lowestoft represents upwards of £200,000; and whether, having regard to the serious injury already inflicted, and to the continued risk to the property of the fishermen, he will take steps, either with the Trinity Brethren or with his department, or by a communication to the Dutch Government, with a view to placing a buoy over the spot where the Elbe foundered, or to the dispersion of the wreck?
§ MR. BRYCEInformation regarding the necessity referred to in the question, and as to the statements made at the meeting, has only to-day been received by 39 the Board of Trade. If the fishing trade are willing to treat the case of the Elbe as an exception to those of the numerous other wrecks at the bottom of the sea, which may cause damage to trawlers, by undertaking to defray the expenses of providing and maintaining a gas-lighted buoy to define the position of the wreck, I will communicate with the Trinity House on the subject.
MR. JAMES LOWTHER (Kent, Thanet)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that great anxiety is evinced on this subject by the fishing industry?
§ MR. HARRY FOSTERDo I understand the answer to be that unless the fishing trade are prepared to place and maintain buoys at their own expense the Department will do nothing?
§ MR. BRYCEThe Board of Trade has no power to do anything; if anything was done it would be done by Trinity House. They have been communicated with, but they have no funds available, and do not see their way to do anything.
§ MR. T. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)Can you consider the propriety of appropriating to this purpose some part of the Mercantile Marine Fund?
§ MR. BRYCEThe Mercantile Marine Fund is disposed of by Act of Parliament, and we have no power to alter the terms of the Act.