HC Deb 05 April 1911 vol 23 cc2200-2
Mr. AGAR-ROBARTES

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the dissatisfaction which has been caused by the constitution of the advisory committee appointed by the Development Commissioners to advise on fishery matters; and whether he proposes to take any steps to ensure that England and Wales shall be adequately represented on that committee?

Mr. TOBIN

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the Development Commissioners have recently appointed an advisory committee on fishery subjects; whether any persons have been appointed on such committee as representatives of either the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, or of local sea fishery committees, or of other English fishery interests; if so, whether he will give the names of such persons; whether the Lancashire and Western Sea Fisheries Joint Committee has expressed its dissatisfaction with the constitution of such advisory committee; and whether it is proposed to take any, and, if so, what, steps to secure the appointment upon such advisory committee of any representatives of the fishery interests in England and Wales?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

I think there has been a great deal of misconception as to the scope and character of the Advisory Committee on Fishery Development appointed by the Development Commissioners. The Advisory Committee is intended to act in an advisory capacity only. It was appointed, not to represent separate interests or localities, but to form a body of experts capable of advising the Commissioners on fishery matters when expressly referred to them, on which the Commissioners desired a technical opinion. The Commissioners will alone consider proposals and schemes and the ultimate decision as to what recommendations, if any, shall be made to the Treasury, rests entirely with the Commissioners as a body and not with the Advisory Committee.

Mr. MORRELL

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain how the various bodies will bring their applications before the Commissioners, whether through the Treasury or direct?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

I think the general practice is that they apply to the Department concerned and the schemes go through the Development Commissioners and comes back for ultimate sanction to the Treasury.

Mr. MORRELL

Has the Lancashire Fisheries Committee forwarded an application to the Board of Agriculture which has not yet reached them?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

I could not say that without notice, but not so far as I know.

Mr. NORMAN CRAIG

Will the Development Commissioners although they have the determination of the grant, be guided in their determination by the advice given them?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

I am afraid I have not made my meaning clear. What I meant to explain was this. The Development Commissioners have no one amongst them who is personally familiar with fishery questions. Schemes are put before them and they have no one to set out to them the technical difficulties and to advise them how to go into the schemes. It is for that purpose only that the Advisory Committee has been appointed.

Mr. NORMAN CRAIG

If the Advisory Committee were appointed for that purpose, why is there no single member of that committee who has any practical knowledge of fishery questions whatsoever?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

I am afraid I must differ from the hon. Member.