HC Deb 05 May 1930 vol 238 cc633-5
82. Sir ROBERT HAMILTON

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether it is intended to discontinue the payment of monetary rewards for the destruction of seals in the Wash?

Mr. N. BUXTON

Yes, Sir. The payment of these awards was authorised for a limited period to enable the Ministry to procure information as to whether the destruction of the common seal was beneficial to fisheries. The Ministry's investigations have produced no evidence to show that the common seal causes any material damage to fisheries in the Wash, and I do not consider that the expenditure of further public money on the payment of awards would be justified.

Sir R. HAMILTON

Is not this decision entirely contrary to the views of the Eastern Sea Fisheries Joint Committee, whose business it is to look after this matter, and who have come to the conclusion that the seals do a great deal of damage to the fish; and is it the considered opinion of the Ministry that seals do not eat fish?

Mr. BUXTON

My information is to the contrary effect. Elaborate investigations have been carried out during the last four years, and the evidence is in the opposite direction from that indicated by the hon. Member.

Sir R. HAMILTON

Is it the case that the investigations carried out by the Ministry were on a very small scale, and showed that the seals, the bodies of which were opened had eaten other things besides fish, but there was nothing to show that they did not eat fish?

Mr. A. M. SAMUEL

Is it not the case that on part of the coast of North Norfolk these great seals harry the fish, frighten away shoals of herring, and break the fishermen's nets?

Mr. BUXTON

That was my impression a short time ago, but the evidence has disproved it.

Commander SOUTHBY

May I ask if these investigations have also cleared the character of the grey seal?

Mr. BUXTON

I am not referring to the grey seal.

Captain GUNSTON

Can the right hon. Gentleman state the exact date on which it is proposed to take the Second Reading of the Grey Seals Protection Bill?

Mr. BUXTON

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Member will put down a question.