§ Sir JOHN RANDLESasked the Secretary to the Treasury if, without any change of policy as to local rates being used for sea fisheries, he is prepared to make grants in support of fishery investigation on the Cumberland and Lancashire coast similar to those made from Imperial funds on the opposite side of the Solway in Scotland as well as for Irish administration and investigation in respect of sea fisheries?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Hobhouse)Neither in Scotland nor in Ireland are grants for scientific fishery investigation made from Imperial funds to local authorities, and on present information I am not prepared to agree to such grants in England. I may, however, mention that the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries make a grant of £200 to Liverpool University for Fishery research.
§ Mr. ASHLEYDo I understand that Ireland and Scotland do not receive very large sums from Imperial funds for investigation?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEYes; that is what the hon. Member is to understand.
§ Sir JOHN RANDLESDid not the right hon. Gentleman, in reply to my former question, inform me that sums were allocated, both in Ireland and Scotland, for fishery investigation and research, and by his reply now does he mean to say that similar amounts should not be available for use on the south side of the Solway, as well as on the north side?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe question asked is whether there is any subvention given from Imperial funds in England or Ireland or Scotland, with the exception of the sum which I mentioned of £200 to the University of Liverpool. No such payments are made from Imperial funds, either in the case of Scotland or Ireland. The grant made in regard to fisheries in respect to Ireland comes from the Old Church Funds, and not from Imperial funds.
§ Mr. ASHLEYWill he say where the Scotch funds come from?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI cannot say offhand, but if the hon. Member will put down a question I will give him an exact answer, and he will find that they are not drawn from Imperial funds.