§ 44. Mr. MITCHESONasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the losses caused to the Milford Haven fishing industry as the result of landings from Spanish trawlers of a type which could not be worked from Milford, owing to Board of Trade regulations as to crew accommodation in British vessels; and whether His Majesty's Government will take steps to help the Welsh fishing industry by increasing the present 10 per cent, ad valorem duty on foreign-caught fish?
§ Mr. WOMERSLEYMy right hon. Friend has received complaints regarding 1263 the effect of the competition of Spanish vessels at Milford, but so far as he is aware there is nothing in the Board of Trade Regulations which would prevent the use of vessels of the same type by British fishermen. If, however, my hon. Friend would furnish him with particulars on the point referred to my right hon. Friend will be glad to go further into the matter. With regard to the second part of the question, under Section 3 (1) of the Import Duties Act, 1932, additional duties can only be imposed on the recommendation of the Import Duties Advisory Committee. The Committee have given public notice that applications are before them for additional duties on fresh herrings and fresh white fish of foreign taking.
Lieut.-Colonel SANDEMAN ALLENWill the hon. Gentleman inquire from his right hon. Friend whether similar conditions apply to Grimsby?
§ Mr. WOMERSLEYI can assure my hon. Friend that I am well aware of the conditions at Grimsby, and that we are as desirous of giving assistance to English fishermen as we are to Welsh fishermen.