§ MR. DOLANI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that during the past six months the total take in sea fishing has gained by 218,000 cwt. in weight and £150,000 in England, whereas for Ireland the increase is only 2,600 cwt. and £6,000, including shellfish; and will he state whether he can ascertain the reason for the difference in the rates of increase for England and Ireland.
MR. BRYCEFrom the returns at present available it appears that during the first six months of the present year the quantity of fish, excluding shellfish, brought to land in England and Wales has decreased in quantity by 386,796 cwts. or about 8½ per cent., as compared with the corresponding period of last year; while in Ireland the quantity has, during the same period, increased by 2,655 cwts., or ¾ per cent. Including shellfish, the value of the fish brought to land in England and Wales has increased by £149,694, or 4½ per cent.; while in Ireland the increase in value has been £5,947, or 4 per cent. The hon. Member will see, therefore, that, as regards fish properly so-called, there has been a decrease in England and Wales and a small increase in Ireland; while if shellfish is included, there has been an increase at practically the same rate in both countries.