§ Mr. NORMAN CRAIGasked (1) with regard to the nomination of the Prime Warden of the Fishmongers' Company on the advisory committee on fishing matters appointed by the Development Commissioners whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that this gentleman is a member 1202 of the Council of the Marine Biological Association, the funds of which are mainly derived from grants made by the Government and by that company; and whether he will explain why four out of the six members of the Advisory Committee should be members of the Council of the Marine Biological Association; (2) why, if the Scottish Office considered it inconsistent with their statutory position to be represented on the advisory committee on fishery matters appointed by the Development Commissioners, the Development Commissioners have appointed Professor D'Arcy Thompson, a member of that committee, seeing that he is the technical adviser of the Fishery Board for Scotland, and the delegate representing the Secretary for Scotland on the International Council for fishery investigations in the North Sea; and why, having regard to the fact that the Board of Agriculture did not accept representation on the advisory committee for the same reason, the Development Commissioners made no corresponding appointment of a member identified with English fishery interests?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe Master of Christ's College, Cambridge, is the only member of the Advisory Committee, who was appointed on account of his connection with the Marine Biological Association. The fact that Professor D'Arcy Thompson and Professor Bourne are also on the Council of the Marine Biological Association, and that Professor D'Arcy Thompson is a member of the Fishery Board for Scotland, and has special acquaintance with the International Investigations, was not regarded by the Commissioners as a disqualication, although the appointments were not made on that account. The Prime Warden of the Fishmongers' Company was nominated by the Fishmongers' Company as their representative without reference to his connection with the Marine Biological Association. The presence of Dr. Shipley and Professor Bourne on the Committee together with that of a nominee of the Fishmongers' Company secures the representation of English Fishery interests.
§ Mr. NORMAN CRAIGasked whether the Development Commissioners, or their advisory committee, have under consideration any scheme for the development and improvement of fisheries in England and Wales, other than any schemes which may have been submitted to them in accordance with Section 4 (1) of their Act of 1909?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe answer is in the negative.
§ Mr. NORMAN CRAIGasked whether any applications for Grants from the Development Fund have been received by the Treasury for the improvement and development of fisheries; whether these applications have been received by the Commissioners through the Government Department concerned in accordance with Section 4 (1) of their Act; and, if so, what is the present position in regard to such applications?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The second part therefore does not arise.
§ Viscount CASTLEREAGHasked on what Vote the Development Fund will come up for discussion?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe Development Fund comes up for discussion as a whole either on the Vote for that Fund, if there is any, or on the Treasury Vote, the Treasury being the Department whose Parliamentary representatives are responsible to this House for the administration of the Fund.