HC Deb 14 May 1908 vol 188 cc1345-7
MR. MCHUGH (Sligo, N.)

I beg to ask the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) how much money was spent by his Department on the development of sea fisheries in Ireland from 1899 to 1906; and is he aware that, while the value of the fish returned as landed on the Irish coasts in 1899 was £460,368, the value of the fish landed in 1906 was only £373,491.

MR. T. W. RUSSELL

The sum of £10,000 per annum is specially provided for and is expended on the purposes of sea fisheries. About £4,000 of this is required for marine police work. The cost and upkeep of the dredger is also charged to this fund, as are also expenses in connection with the construction of piers. The Department also have at their disposal the Sea and Coast Fisheries Fund out of which loans are made to fishermen. Over £20,000 was issued in this way by the Department since 1899. The spring mackerel fishing has fallen off in the quantity and quality of the fish in the period referred to in the Question, and the bad weather of 1906 had much to do with the shortage of that year.

MR. MCHUGH

I beg to ask the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he is aware that the value of the fish landed on the coast of Ireland in 1906 was £373,491, while the corresponding figures for England and Scotland, respectively, were £7,965,369 and £3,049,915; and can he explain why it is that those engaged in the sea-fishing industry in Scotland earn ten times as much as those engaged in the same industry in Ireland.

MR. T. W. RUSSELL

The fisheries of Ireland are carried on in home waters, while the steam-fishing vessels (owned by large public companies) from which the great supply for the English markets is derived, fish from Iceland to the coast of Morocco, including the seas around Ireland, and deliver the gatherings from this huge area into the ports of Great Britain. There would be no object in landing any of this fish in Irish ports, as all of it, as well as much of that caught by Irish fishermen, must eventually go to the English markets. The herring-fishing areas of Scotland and England are of much greater extent than any off the Irish coast.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare. E.)

Is it not the fact that the smallness of the figures relating to the Irish fisheries as compared with England and Scotland is largely due to the want of facilities for the fishing industry on the Irish coast? Are the Department going to do anything in that matter, especially in the County Clare?

MR. T. W. RUSSELL

I agree, but the Department cannot do it without money.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

Has not the hon. Gentleman power to help in the building of harbours where local contributions are forthcoming? Is a Bill necessary for that purpose?

MR. T. W. RUSSELL

Yes, legislation is necessary.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

And it has been long promised. When will a Bill be brought in to enable the county councils of Ireland to join the Agricultural Department in carrying out this important work?

MR. T. W. RUSSELL

There is a Question on the Paper as to that.