§ 7. Mr. TILLETTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the German Government, by agreement with His Majesty's Government, is delivering quantities of fish at Aberdeen; and, if so, whether such action is by way of reparation or indemnity?
§ Mr. BALDWINThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The second part, therefore, does not arise.
89. Colonel LAMBERT WARDasked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Government will introduce legislation to prohibit the landing of fish, caught by foreign nationals, at a British port when it can be proved that the fishing industry in that country is in receipt of Government subsidies?
91. Colonel BURNasked the Minister of Agriculture if he will support legislation to prohibit the landing of fish by foreign trawlers at any British port in the case of that industry being subsidised by a grant from the Government of the country to which those trawlers belong?
§ 92 and 94. Major ENTWISTLEasked the Minister of Agriculture (1) whether the Danish and Dutch Governments grant subsidies to their fishing industry, with a view to their fishermen having an unfair advantage over the British fishing industry; whether there are any other foreign Governments, and, if so, which, which grant subsidies to their fishing industries;
(2) whether he is aware that the British fishing industry is in a parlous financial condition and that one of the main causes of the same is that fish is imported under unfair conditions from foreign countries whose Governments subsidise their fishing industries; and whether, in these circumstances, he is prepared to advise the Government to introduce legislation to prohibit the landing of fish at British ports by the trawlers of such foreign countries or to take such other steps as will protect the British fishing industry from this serious danger?
The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Sir Arthur Boscawen)I am aware that the British fishing industry is passing through a most difficult time, and that the difficulties are aggravated by the importation of fish from abroad. I am also aware that the Governments of the principal exporting countries give direct or indirect financial assistance to their fishing industries. I do not, however, think that the proposals made in the questions addressed to me are practicable, but if hon. Members representing constituencies where the fishing industry exists would be willing to meet me and the Deputy-Minister of Fisheries for the purpose of discussing the situation, I should be glad to arrange this at an early date.