HC Deb 07 April 1913 vol 51 cc814-6
73. Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAY

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he can furnish any further information with regard to the Inter-Departmental Commission to investigate the trawling for herrings and other fishery questions; and whether he can state how many days the Commission has sat, and when the Report will be issued?

The CHANCELLOR of the DUCHY of LANCASTER (Mr. Hobhouse)

The Inter-Departmental Committee on Fisheries held its first meeting on 6th July, 1912; and the last meeting at which evidence was heard on 24th February of this year. The Members of the Committee have, however, been, obliged to give very con- siderable time, in addition to the actual meetings of the Committee, to considering various Reports and Memoranda sent in from both England and Scotland. An agreement between the drifting and trawling interests to request a postponement of decision by the Committee until after this fishing season, appears to be imminent. In view of such probable agreement, and of the necessity of obtaining certain practical information desired by the Committee and the contending parties, and only obtainable by research on the fishing grounds, it is probable that no Report will be issued until the autumn.

Mr. CATHCART WASON

Now that that agreement has been arrived at, will the Committee direct its attention to the object for which it was set up?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

When we have considered the evidence which we have already got we shall proceed to the second part of the inquiry, which is the question of limiting, or perhaps extending, the international area.

Mr. CATHCART WASON

Will you remember that that is the chief object of the Committee?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

I cannot agree with that.

Mr. MUNRO

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that at the present time experiments are being made on the subject of trawling for herrings?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

Yes. Those experiments and researches have so far been inconclusive, and it is desired on both sides that they should be continued and extended during the present fishing season.

Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAY

Did I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that the question of limiting the area was being considered? Am I not right in saying that the only question is that of extending the area.

Mr. HOBHOUSE

It may be that the question of limitation will come up. I should not exclude it.

Mr. R. HARCOURT

Does that mean that we shall have no information as to extension or limitation before the autumn?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

The question to which I have given an answer has reference to the difficulties with regard to trawling for herrings. It is upon that and that only that a postponement of decision will probably be requested.