§ 64. Mr. Garro Jonesasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that His Majesty's Ship "Challenger" was built for fishery research work but has been used for other purposes; and whether, having regard to the necessity for exploratory work on behalf of the fishing industry, he will concert measures with the President of the Board of Trade to meet that need?
§ Mr. RamsbothamI have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend is aware of the facts stated by the hon. Member, but he does not consider that present circumstances warrant the withdrawal of His Majesty's Ship "Challenger" from the survey work on which she is at present engaged on behalf of the Admiralty.
§ Mr. Garro JonesMay I have an answer to the last part of the question, which asks whether some measures can be taken to substitute another vessel for the "Challenger"?
§ Mr. RamsbothamThe "Challenger" was originally built for the survey of new fishing grounds. At the moment the fishing industry is not suffering from any shortage of supplies of fish, quite the contrary, and, therefore, my right hon. Friend does not think it advisable to incur the heavy expense of taking over the "Challenger."
§ Mr. Garro JonesDid the hon. Member get the information that the fishing industry is not suffering from a shortage of new fishing grounds?