HC Deb 17 March 1930 vol 236 c1707
55. Mr. CHARLES WILLIAMS

asked the Minister of Agriculture on which English fishing harbour the new Government dredger for fishing harbours, announced by the Secretary of State for Scotland as almost finished, will commence work?

Mr. N. BUXTON

The new dredger to which the hon. Member refers has been purchased by the Fishery Board for Scotland for work in a number of Scottish harbours which are greatly in need of dredging. The dredger will be fully occupied on this work for some time to come. No arrangement has been made up to the present for its employment in English harbours.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Are not English harbours entitled to a share of the money which the British taxpayers provide for the dredging of these harbours?

Mr. BUXTON

Scottish harbours require dredging by the fishery authorities. In the case of the English harbours, they are mostly of a kind which do not require assistance from the Fishery Department, but do their own dredging.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Surely the right hon. Gentleman knows that that is not the case, and is he not aware that English harbours require assistance just as much in many of these respects?