§ SIR J. COLOMB (Great Yarmouth)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the naval authorities are rendering and will continue to render all necessary assistance to the Lowest of fishermen to recover upwards of £12,000 worth of nets lost during the recent gales off the coasts of Cornwall and Devon?
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. W. E. MACARTNEY, Antrim, S.)In reply I have to say that orders will be given to any of Her Majesty's ships to report immediately if they come across any of these nets, and other steps which may be considered possible will be taken.
MR. GIBSON BOWLES (King's Lynn)Would it not be practicable to 692 send out a vessel or two to recover these nets?
§ MR MACARTNEYI am not aware whether any vessels are available at the present moment. We are communicating with the ports, but I cannot pledge the Admiralty straight off to send a ship. It will be considered if any are available.
§ SIR J. COLOMBMay I take it that the Admiralty are communicating with the naval authorities at Plymouth with a view to do everything that can be done to recover these nets?
§ MR. MACARTNEYThat is so.