§ * SIR ALBERT ROLLIT (Islington, S.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state what is the exact present position as to any international conventions, agreements, or conferences touching the North Sea Fisheries; docs the Government propose to take any, and, if so, what steps, independently, with a view to the preservation of such fisheries.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR, Leeds, Central)His Majesty's Government have agreed to take part in the international scheme of investigation connected with fishery problems in the North Sea and adjacent waters as proposed by the Conferences held at Stockholm and Christiania, and Parliament will be asked to make a grant to defray the cost of the British share of these investigations. These funds will be administered by a Departmental Committee with the advice of scientific experts. The details of the investigations will no doubt be finally settled at the forthcoming meeting of the International Council at Copenhagen, at which Great Britain will be represented, but the date of which has not yet been fixed. The Board of Trade have also appointed a Committee under Minute dated 13th August, 1901, to inquire and report as to the best means by which the State or Local Authorities can assist Scientific Research as applied to problems affecting the fisheries of Great Britain and Ireland, and in particular whether the object in view would best be attained by the creation of one central body or department acting for England, Scotland, and Ireland, or by means of separate departments or agencies in each of the three countries. Quite apart from this important question of Scientific Research the Board of Trade have, with the assistance of another Committed, considered how the present system of collecting fisheries statistics in England and Wales could be improved and extended. That Committee has already made a report. The Board of Trade have acted upon it 146 and made certain arrangements which they hope will be beneficial to the interests concerned.
§ * SIR ALBERT ROLLITWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Board of Trade intends to take any independent action to arrest the depletion of our North Sea Fisheries apart from the Conference?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURNo such independent action is at present contemplated.
§ MR. HELME (Lancashire, Lancaster)Were the interests of Great Britain represented at the second Conference directly?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURYes, Sir.
§ CAPTAIN SINCLAIR (Forfarshire)Is the right hon. Gentleman in consultation with the Scottish Fishery Board in regard to this matter?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURYes. Sir, I am.
MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)Will the right hon. Gentleman lay on the Table the Report of the Committee, which he states he has already received, as to the investigation.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURSo far as I am aware, there will be no objection. I may add I am in communication with the Scottish Office, not directly with the Scottish Fishery Board.