Major WHITEasked the President of the Board of Agriculture (1) whether he 1189 will now state if the recommendation sent in by the Board to the Development Commissioners with regard to fishery development covers the claim of the Lancashire and Western Sea Fisheries Development Commissioners for a grant for scientific work, or whether the recommendation was for a grant for policing purposes mainly or solely; and (2) whether the Board of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland have been promised the sum of £50,000 for fishery development; whether no decision has been reached as regards the similar application of the Lancashire and Western Sea Fisheries Joint Committee, despite the fact that the application of the latter body was forwarded to the Treasury before the Irish claim; and if he will state the reasons which have led to a delay of more than fifteen months in the settlement of this question?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe recommendations of the Board referred both to policing and to research work. If the negotiations of the Board with the Development Commission are successful, I hope to be able to secure substantial assistance for the research work of the Lancashire and Western Sea Fisheries Joint Committee. I am not aware what grant, if any, for fishery development has been made from the Development Fund to the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland. I hope to be in a position to to make a further statement with regard to the subject matter of these two questions shortly.
§ Mr. ASHLEYCan the right hon. Gentleman say approximately what sum he hopes to hand over to these Commissioners?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANNo; I could not state the exact sum at this stage.
§ Mr. CHARLES DUNCANCan the right hon. Gentleman give any idea of the date?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANNegotiations are proceeding, and I hope to be able to make a statement shortly.