§ 5. Sir J. CRAIGasked the Vice-president of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), whether he is aware that fishing boats are being built at Portavogie, county Down, to the order of the English Fisheries Board; and whether, under the circumstances that an enemy submarine recently sank several craft belonging to county Down fishermen, an arrangement could be come to whereby such boats built locally could be allocated through the Irish Fisheries Board to those men who have recently suffered loss, as and when they become available, and the English Fisheries Board be asked to make other suitable arrangements to meet their requirements?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Shortt)The Department of Agriculture have been informed by a correspondent that a fishing boat is being built at Portavogie to the order of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, with whom they are communicating in the matter.
§ Sir J. CRAIGMay I ask whether in the peculiar circumstances it would not be possible to encourage this local building in view of the fact that there are facilities for it, and also in view of the fact that the herring fishery off the county Down coast is a very great source of supply to this country?
§ Mr. SHORTTIt does seem highly desirable.