HC Deb 07 April 1936 vol 310 cc2578-9
18 Mr. GARRO-JONES

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether Ids attention has been drawn to the dishonest practice of steam-trawler owners, reported as general on page 88 of the Report of the Sea Fish Commission, under which the owners charged as costs in the settling sheets of the crews sums for fish-selling commission which exceed by a substantial amount the actual expenses to the owners; and whether he will take immediate steps to deal with this fraud on the employés in this industry;

(2) whether he is aware that, whereas the cost of ice is charged on trawler-men's settling sheets at an apparently fair prime cost, the owners have in many cases been in receipt of annual bonuses or rebates paid by the ice companies, irrespective of any shares the trawler owners may hold in those companies, and that these rebates have not been credited in the settling sheets; and whether this practice of doubtful honesty will receive his immediate attention;

(3) whether his attention has been drawn to the irregularities by steam-trawler owners in the statements of their costs on statutory settling accounts with their crews; that the Sea Fish Commission Report discloses that many owners have added percentages varying from 10 per cent. to over 100 per cent. to their costs in the case of some consumable stores; that these additions are admitted by the owners; and that they are grossly unfair to the skippers and crews; and whether he contemplates taking any legal or other steps to deal with this urgent matter?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I have received the report of the Sea Fish Commission, and can assure the hon. Member that I appreciate the desirability of early action regarding the matters to which he refers. The recommendations of the Commission are receiving immediate consideration with this object in view.

Mr. GARRO-JONES

Having regard to the elaborate nature of the recommendations for the reorganisation of this industry contained in the report, can the right hon. Gentleman give me, as representing a constituency of fishermen, an assurance that the measures he contemplates will not be delayed until effect has been given to those elaborate recommendations?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I have already said that the recommendations of the Commission are receiving immediate consideration with that object in view.

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

Will the recommendations of the previous Sea Fish Commission also be taken into consideration, since they are almost parallel with the more recent recommendations, and emphasise the necessity for action?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

So far as action is concerned, that rests primarily with the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Scottish Office.

Mr. GARRO-JONES

While I appreciate the reply which the right hon. Gentleman has given to me, can he state that he recognises his separate responsibility from that of the Minister of Agriculture in so far as these are matters coming within his purview although the general recommendations come within the purview of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

In so far as they come within my purview, of course I take responsibility.