72. Lieut.-Colonel LAMBERT WARDasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the distress among the fishing folk of Hull and other English ports; and whether he will undertake to introduce a Supplementary Estimate for moneys to assist those men, on similar lines to the Estimate which is to be introduced to provide moneys to assist distressed fishermen in the Scottish ports?
§ Mr. BUXTONI am aware that the fishing industry as a whole has been experiencing considerable difficulty in recent years. I believe, however, that the situation is improving, and I am not aware of any abnormal distress at the present time. If a case for assistance to fishermen in England and Wales of the character which is proposed for Scottish fishermen is submitted to me and supported by similar evidence, I shall, of course, be prepared to take it into my serious consideration.