§ 63. Mr. CREANasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether, in advancing loans to fishermen for the purchase of motor boats, the Norwegian Government demands no interest for the first year; whether, as a result of this action, some 6,000 boats are already equipped and about 7,000 more waiting to be fitted with engines; and whether the Department of Agriculture in Ireland will, in advancing future loans for such purposes, give a like encouragement to Irish fishermen and thus enable them to start with a fair chance of success?
§ Mr. RUSSELLThe Department are not aware that interest is not charged during the first year on loans issued in Norway for fishery purposes, but they understand that the repayment of loans, with interest, by instalments, does not begin until the second year. No such loans, however, cover the whole of boat and equipment, as is the case in loans for fishery purposes issued by the Department in Ireland. The interest charged on loans for fishery purposes issued in Ireland is only 2½ per cent., and the assistance given to fishermen in regard to instruction, repairs and insurance is, so far as the Department are aware, much greater than that given in Norway. The Department, therefore, see no reason to change the general arrangement for repayment of fishery loans and interest.