HC Deb 20 April 1932 vol 264 cc1465-6
31 and 32. Sir A. M. SAMUEL

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether the appropriate officer of the Board of Trade is furnished with a certified copy of the settling sheet showing the distribution of the shares of the profits issued to the skipper, master, and crew of a fishing vessel, or by what method the Board of Trade officials check the figures on the settling sheets as representing a true statement of the costs of the voyage and the proceeds of the catch;

(2) whether he requires owners of fishing vessels to give to each member of a crew a signed settling sheet explaining the distributable shares of profits?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Hore-Belisha)

The owner of a fishing vessel is required by the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, to give a detailed settling sheet to every member of the crew who is paid by share. He is not required to give a certified copy to the Board of Trade superintendent, nor is that officer required to check the accuracy of settling sheets except when a dispute is referred to him for decision. In the latter event the superintendent has full powers for obtaining the necessary information.

Sir A. M. SAMUEL

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the grievance of the fishermen is that the sheets are not accurate and are not certified, and is he aware that the fishery committee asked for this improvement to be made?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

The recommendations of the committee to which my hon. Friend refers are now the subject of discussion between the Departments concerned.

Sir A. M. SAMUEL

As the fact of the grievance is established, what excuse can there be for further delay?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

There is no excuse because there is no delay.

45. Sir A. M. SAMUEL

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he proposes to give effect to the recommendations contained in paragraphs 44 to 67 of the Fishing Industry Report that in certain ports the auctioneers of trawled fish should be independent of the owners of the vessels where the proceeds of the auctions are distributable in part on the basis of settling sheets?

The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Sir John Gilmour)

I regret I am unable at present to add anything to my reply on Monday last to a question by my hon. Friend concerning the recommendations in this report.

Sir A. M. SAMUEL

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the recommendations deal with the grievance, and, as a matter of justice, ought it not to be settled with as little delay as possible?

Sir J. GILMOUR

All these matters are under discussion.