43 and 44. Lieut.-Commander KEN-WORTHYasked the President of 1100 the Board of Trade (1) whether it is intended in the final arrangements for the reorganisation of the coal industry to exclude bunkers for fishing vessels from levy;
(2) whether in his proposals for the reorganisation of the coal industry it is intended to exempt bunkers for the coasting trade from levy; and if he is aware that the recognised home-trade limits for coasting shipping include rot only the British coast but the whole of the Continent between the Elbe and Brest and including the River Seine?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMI would point out to my hon. and gallant Friend that, assuming Clauses 2 (3) (a) and 3 (2) (g) of the Coal Mines Bill are accepted by Parliament, the imposition of a levy will be a matter for decision by the Central Council, that the power given in the Bill is permissive only, and that there are opportunities for arbitration if the power is unfairly used.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs my right hon. Friend aware that there is great apprehension in the fishing industry and the coasting trade as to whether the interests of these two hard-hit industries are being safeguarded? Previous experience under the Five Counties scheme does not encourage them.
§ Mr. SKELTONIs the President of the Board of Trade aware that there is grave apprehension throughout industries of every sort?
§ Mr. GRAHAMThat may be, but in the detailed Debate this afternoon the Government, I hope, will be able to remove a great deal of that misapprehension.
§ Major MCKENZIE WOODWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that during the last coal strike—[HON. MEMBERS: "Lock-out!"]—during the last coal stoppage, it was the common practice for fishing vessels to take their fish to Holland in order that they might get the opportunity of buying cheap coal? Thus trade was taken away from this country.
§ Mr. GRAHAMThe circumstances of the coal stoppage were very different. Later in the day, I hope to be able to show the House the safeguards which 1101 exist in the matter of bunkering abroad unless the very best conditions are given by the industry in this country.
§ Mr. WOMERSLEYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the last Parliament a rebate under the Freights Rebate Act was given to fishing vessels by Parliament itself, and not left to any Committee?
§ Mr. GRAHAMThe de-rating scheme was again a very different proposition. I propose to refer also to that particular topic later this afternoon.