§ 19. Colonel Sir CHARLES BURNasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that in consequence of the withdrawal of the fishery protection cruisers from the North Russian coast during the past three months British trawlers have been precluded from operating in some of the most productive fishing grounds in those regions, and that both loss to the trawling industry and diminution of the national food supplies has resulted; whether the reason for the withdrawal of the protective vessels is that there is now no vessel in the British Navy suitable for continuous duty in these regions during the winter; and 476 whether, in view of the importance of this fishery, both to the fishing industry and to the country, he will take immediate steps to provide a suitable vessel for the work in time for the next fishing season, which commences in September?
§ Commander EYRES - MONSELLI understand that the temporary withdrawal of the fishery protection vessels has interfered with fishing activities in North Russian waters. The Admiralty was compelled, owing to the navigational difficulties experienced on the Murmansk coast by the only suitable type of ship available, reluctantly to withdraw the fishery protection vessels at the end of last year. A vessel has now been sent out again, and it is hoped by next year to make arrangements to enable our fishermen to be looked after all the year through.
§ Sir C. BURNIs the vessel sent out able to withstand ice, or will a vessel that can withstand ice be sent out later on as the winter comes on?
§ Commander EYRES-MONSELLThe sloop "Godetia" has left, and will be in Russian waters by 1st April. She was withdrawn because of the ice difficulty, but now the ice difficulty is less she has gone out again.