HC Deb 13 July 1931 vol 255 cc24-5
47. Lieut.-Colonel Sir A. LAMBERT WARD

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any report to lay before the House of the proceedings of the Fisheries Committee?

The PRIME MINISTER

This inquiry is being conducted by the Committee of the Economic Advisory Council, and it will be for the latter body, when they receive the committee's report, to consider whether they should recommend that it should be published by His Majesty's Government.

Sir FREDERICK THOMSON

Does the right hon. Gentleman not remember that his colleague the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries said in this House so long ago as the 2nd February that the Government were considering the draft report?

The PRIME MINISTER

No. I am perfectly certain that my right hon. Friend did not say that the Government were considering the draft report. He did say that the committee was considering the draft report.

Sir F. THOMSON

I think he said, "We are considering it."

The PRIME MINISTER

That might be so. As a matter of fact, the committee has been considering its draft report, but the Government have had no report to consider, draft or otherwise.

Major MCKENZIE WOOD

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us any idea when the report may be expected?

The PRIME MINISTER

I am afraid that that question has been put so often that I have nothing to add.

Major WOOD

But is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he has given us no indication when the report may be expected, and that the fishermen of Scotland are anxiously awaiting it?

The PRIME MINISTER

In that respect the Government are in exactly the same position as the fishermen of Scotland.