HC Deb 29 May 1924 vol 174 cc599-600
59. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

asked the Minister of Agriculture by what means help can be given to the British fishing industry, in view of its distressed condition and of the considerable Government grant which is being made for loans to Scottish herring fishers?

Mr. BUXTON

I do not think that the case of the Scottish herring fishermen and that of the British fishing industry are strictly comparable. I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer I gave on the 26th instant to the question addressed to me by the hon. and gallant Member for the North-Western Division of Kingston-upon-Hull.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the fishing industry in England is suffering partly from bad transport and partly from profiteering on the part of those who sell the fish, and will he set up a Committee on the lines of the Linlithgow Committee to look into this question?

Mr. LUMLEY

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that it is in accordance with Free Trade principles to subsidise Scottish fishermen in order to compete with English fishermen?

Mr. HARBORD

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to grant an extension of the Trade Facilities Act to those who are most deserving? In the case of my Own town—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech!"]—as the Minister is already aware, there are fleets of vessels no: employed, and by such means he would employ the men on the fishing boats.

Mr. FERGUSON

Are the Liberals asking for Protection?

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