HC Deb 03 April 1911 vol 23 cc1802-3
Mr. NORMAN CRAIG

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the facts that the Development Commissioners have appointed a committee to advise on fishery questions; that the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries considered that its constitution gave no adequate representation to English and Welsh fishery interests, and made representations to the Development Commissioners accordingly; that the Development Commissioners have given no effect to these representations; and whether he will take steps to see that the expressed views of the Government Department in charge of English and Welsh fishery matters carry their proper weight with other Departments of the Government where fishery interests are concerned?

The PRIME MINISTER

I have considered the matter, and see no ground for interfering with the action taken by the Development Commission in the exercise of the discretion allowed to them.

Mr. NORMAN CRAIG

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, in reference to the first part of the question, a difference exists in fishery matters between the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Development Commissioners.

The PRIME MINISTER

The Board of Agriculture and Fisheries have not brought that question to my notice.

Major WHITE

asked the Prime Minister whether he will endeavour to secure that England may obtain from the Development Fund a suitable grant for fishery development and may be treated with the same generosity as has been extended to Scotland and Ireland in respect of grants for this purpose?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

The Development Commissioners do not intend to make any attempt to adopt any proportionate basis of distribution of their funds between the various parts of the United Kingdom, but are simply dealing with applications on their merits. Applications for grants for fishery purposes will be carefully considered from whatever part of the kingdom they may be received. I understand that no application from England for fishery development has yet been received by the Commissioners.

Mr. MORRELL

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Lancashire Committee absolutely deny that they have applied?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

They have applied for representation on the Advisory Committee, but I have no information that they have applied for a grant.