§ 22. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is proposing to institute an inquiry into the conditions of the fishing industry in England and Wales, with a view to the provision of credit facilities for this depressed industry where necessary?
Mr. GUINNESSI do not propose to institute any such inquiry as is suggested by the hon. Member, as I have no reason for believing that the fishing industry is suffering from lack of credit facilities.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Prime Minister made a statement some time ago to the effect that an inquiry would be made?
Mr. GUINNESSWe have. made inquiries—we are continually in touch with the fishing industry—and I have not seen any evidence that such facilities are now necessary. The hon. Member will recollect that certain facilities were given in Scotland, and very small advantage was taken of them.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that credit facilities are necessary for the small fishing people who have neither sufficient money nor material to carry on their normal work, and are obliged to work for large companies, which results in restricting the quantity of fish and increasing prices?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Secretary of State for the Colonies promised, when the £1,000,000 was voted for Empire development, that he would favourably consider the granting of help to British fishermen?
Mr. GUINNESSAn inquiry is being conducted now, I think, by the Imperial Economic Committee, which is in close touch with the Empire Marketing Board, on the question of the production and sale of fish.
§ Commander WILLIAMSMight not some of these funds be used to great advantage in helping the harbours of these fishermen, which are often not in a very good state of repair?
Mr. GUINNESSI do not think the claims of the harbours could very well be brought under a grant for Empire marketing, admirable as those claims may be.