§ 53. Mr. THORNEasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has received a report from the inspector of the Fisheries Department who visited Hull 1432 to inquire into the fishing industry; if, so, will he state whether there is any recommendation in the report to set up a Whitley council for the industry; it he is aware that the fish-trawler owners have reduced the liver money from 17s. 6d. to 12s. 6d. per barrel; if he can state the reason; and whether he intends taking any action in the matter?
§ Dr. ADDISONThe visit to which my hon. Friend refers was made by a member of the Fisheries Committee of the Economic Advisory Council, accompanied by the Chief Inspector of Fisheries, who is assisting that committee. All reports made to the committee are confidential. I am informed that the fish livers at Hull are purchased direct from the crews of the fishing vessels by an oil company, and that the price was reduced three months ago from 17s. 6d. to 12s. 6d. per barrel owing to the considerable fall in the price of oils of all kinds. I have no power to intervene in the matter.
§ Mr. THORNEHas the right hon. Gentleman received that report, and has he given consideration to the question of setting up a council?
§ Dr. ADDISONThe report is now before the committee.
§ Mr. E. BROWNAre we to understand that there is any connection between this report and the reduction in price?
§ Dr. ADDISONNo, I do not think so.
§ Mr. WOMERSLEYWhy did only one member of the committee go down to such an important fishing centre, and also to Grimsby?
§ Dr. ADDISONWe have sent different members of the committee round to a considerable number of ports in England and Scotland. It is quite impossible for the whole committee to go to all these places, so we asked different members to visit different ports for specific reasons. It is a very reasonable thing to do.
§ Sir FREDERICK THOMSONWhen will the report of the committee be published?
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYMay I ask, as it affects my constituency, if the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the principal trouble with regard to this 1433 reduction of liver money and the disputes thereon is that very few of the fishermen are organised and that there is nobody who can speak for them as a body?
§ Dr. ADDISONThat just about sums it up. In reply to the hon. and learned Member for South Aberdeen (Sir F. Thomson), we are now considering the draft report.