63. Mr. DOYLEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture how many trawlers fishing for the Government have been shifted this summer from East Coast to West Coast ports; what reason there is for this change of base; what is the approximate cost per vessels of such a move; and will the cost be debited against the earnings of the ships?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of AGRICULTURE (Sir Arthur Boscawen)Six trawlers have 28 been moved from the East Coast to West Coast ports because it was considered they could be more profitably employed at these ports. It is estimated that the cost for moving each vessel will not exceed £150 which sum will be debited against the earnings of the boat.
Lieut.-Colonel MURRAYCan the right hon. Gentleman say how many Government trawlers there are and whether they are competing with private trawlers?