§ 33. Commander CHARLES WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Agriculture what proposals his Department have to save the fishing industry of Brixham and the south coast of Devon and Cornwall, in view of the continual damage and loss of gear from wrecks sunk during the War, which is slowly killing the industry?
Mr. WOODWhile I am keenly alive to the disabilities to which the Brixham fishermen have been exposed owing to the wrecks in the vicinity of the port, I hope and believe that the language used at the end of my hon. and gallant Friend's question exaggerates the seriousness of their case. The circumstances of Brixham have for a long time past been the subject of anxious and sympathetic consideration by the Ministry, but no really practicable remedy for their case has been suggested in any quarter.
§ Commander WILLIAMSTs it not really the duty of the. Ministry to find a practicable remedy?
Mr. WOODYes, I have tried. Those who preceded me have tried, as my hon. and gallant Friend knows, to adjust things, and it is a matter for the keenest regret that so far our efforts have been unsuccessful.
Major HARVEYIs the Minister aware that these trawlers coming into Start Bay do a great deal of damage to the crab pots and fish nurseries? If these wrecks were marked in same would that not keep the trawlers out of the fish nurseries?
§ Mr. J. JONESSeeing that the two hon. Members who have asked these supplementary questions believe in private enterprise, why should they not get out of their own troubles without the State coming to their assistance?